The Miami Dolphins are seemingly getting close to landing a new head coach. After hiring former Packers vice president of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan as their new general manager, the Dolphins have an idea on the team they are trying to assemble.
In a new interview with the Dolphins media, Sullivan laid out the primary traits he’s looking for in a team. He said “Mental toughness, physical toughness, you start there from a character standpoint and a burning desire to want to be the best that you can be and win. That’s what we’re all here to do. At the end of the day, if you broke it down to one word, we’re here to win.” Now, the new Dolphins general manager is one of the key members involved in finding Miami’s head coach who can help fulfill his vision.
As the process has unfolded, the frontrunner for the job has been a man that shares Sullivan’s philosophy. New reports suggest that Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley is the favorite to become Miami’s new head coach. Hafley and Sullivan worked together over the previous two seasons. The Packers made the playoffs in both seasons together, but were eliminated in the Wild Card round both times.
Miami Dolphins Could Lose Key Offensive Coach
When an NFL team fires its head coach, they retain the rights to that coach’s staff. However, it is ordinary that the team dismisses them to allow the new head coach to bring in his own staff or allows the staff members to seek other opportunities. If the Dolphins do hire Hafley, retaining defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, who’s gotten head coaching interviews around the league, seems far-fetched as Weaver would become the second most-powerful voice as it pertains to the Dolphins’ defense.
However, the offensive side of the ball is unknown for the Dolphins. Unfortunately, a potential candidate for the Dolphins offensive coordinator position, who has playcalling experience may go elsewhere. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Dolphins senior passing game coordinator Bobby Slowik had been requested to interview by the Philadelphia Eagles for their offensive coordinator position. Slowik worked with former Dolphins’ head coach Mike McDaniel in San Francisco, before becoming the Texans offensive coordinator in 2023. Following the 2024 season, Slowik was fired by Houston. He reunited with McDaniel in the 2025 season, but with McDaniel gone, Slowik may be seeking a different job as well.
After a strong 2023 season as the Texans’ offensive coordinator, Slowik received head coaching interest in 2025, but ultimately ended up with the Dolphins.
Slowik’s comments on Ewers
Perhaps something that would help Bobby Slowik stay with the Dolphins are his positive thoughts on seventh-round rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers. Slowik praised Ewers after his first start, and compared his arm talent to former quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. He said, “Ewers doesn’t yet have Tua’s anticipatory skills, but if Ewers gets the ball out later than Tua, it arrives at the same time.”
Currently, the Dolphins are a long way from settling on their starting quarterback for the 2026 season. Perhaps retaining Slowik with the new head coach staff would be a vote of confidence for Miami’s young quarterback.
Dolphins Coach Search Takes New Turn