Jeff Hafley has wasted little time putting his stamp on the Miami Dolphins. The first-year head coach has emphasized physical practices, accountability and discipline as the team works through a major roster reset. Miami enters the 2026 season with a much younger group after significant changes across the roster and front office.
Several established players remain central to the new direction, including De’Von Achane, Jordyn Brooks, Aaron Brewer and Zach Sieler. At the same time, younger players such as Chop Robinson, Kenneth Grant, Jonah Savaiinaea and Chris Johnson are being asked to establish themselves as long-term pieces.
That process has made Hafley’s approach especially important as Miami tries to build a different identity.
Jeff Hafley Addresses Dolphins’ “Soft” Reputation
In an interview with the Miami Herald, Greg Cote, Hafley explained why changing the way the Dolphins are viewed has become a personal priority for him.
Hafley directly addressed the outside perception that the Dolphins lack toughness, saying the criticism bothers him deeply.
“Let’s be honest. Right, wrong or indifferent, there’s this outside perception that we’re a soft football team and that eats at my core at everything I believe in about this game,” Hafley told Cote.
The coach has responded by making training camp demanding and placing a strong emphasis on physical play. He wants Miami’s players to compete harder than their opponents while also avoiding the penalties and confrontations that can undermine that approach.
Hafley made that distinction clear after Miami’s heated joint practice with the New York Giants. The session included multiple fights, but Hafley said he was “very, very disappointed” by the behavior from both teams.
For him, toughness is not about losing control. It is about playing with physicality while maintaining discipline.
“If our guys are not playing hard and physical or are not disciplined, I want them taken out of the game,” Hafley said. “There has to be a new mind-set here.”
That standard is particularly significant for a roster that has undergone a major overhaul. Miami has moved on from several prominent players from recent seasons, including Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and Bradley Chubb.
The Dolphins now have the youngest roster in the NFL, with players averaging 25.2 years old, according to Cote. About three-quarters of the 53-man roster is also expected to be made up of players on one-year contracts.
Hafley sees the youth as an opportunity to establish his preferred culture. “We’ve infused this thing with a lot of young players,” he said. “I’m excited about the energy, the physicality, the enthusiasm.”
De’Von Achane Leads Dolphins’ Backfield Competition
That new identity will be tested by the players competing for roles across the roster, including Miami’s running back group.
De’Von Achane remains one of the Dolphins’ key offensive pieces. His explosiveness gives Miami a major playmaking option, while Jaylen Wright and Ollie Gordon II are competing to provide depth behind him.
Wright entered Saturday’s preseason game against the Giants with an opportunity to strengthen his case. He rushed six times for nine yards and lost a fumble in Miami’s 26-3 defeat. He also recorded 56 kick return yards on two attempts.
Wright has 537 rushing yards and two touchdowns in 25 career NFL games. He has also contributed eight receptions for 52 yards since entering the league as a fourth-round pick in 2024.
Gordon, meanwhile, offers a different style as a more physical runner. His development remains important as Miami determines which backs can consistently execute their assignments.
Hafley wants the Dolphins to build a culture that endures beyond a single season, even if results take time.
“It’s not gonna happen overnight,” Hafley said. “It might be hard early. But what we’re building is gonna be real and it’s gonna sustain.”
Jeff Hafley Reveals What “Eats at My Core” About Dolphins Perception