Entering the 2026 season, the Miami Dolphins do not have high expectations. The team is currently projected to be among the worst in the NFL next season, as the team apparently decided to undergo a rebuild.
However, that does not mean that there can’t be disappointing developments. While a losing record and missing out on the postseason for the third consecutive season is to be expected, there have already been a few aspects that Miami likely wishes had gone another way.
Miami Dolphins Predicted to Cut Ties With Former Second-Round Pick
Among those is the play of veteran wide receiver Tutu Atwell, who signed a one-year contract with the Dolphins this offseason. After a strong 2024 season with the Los Angeles Rams, Atwell signed a $10 million contract; however, with the Rams’ addition of Davante Adams, Atwell saw a reduced role. With him joining the Dolphins, Miami hoped they could get some of Atwell’s 2024 production, but after two preseason games and a few weeks of training camp, that does not appear to be the case.
Due to his disappointing play, Dolphins on SI’s Alain Poupart did not project Atwell to make Miami’s 53-man roster. Instead, Poupart predicted the team would keep Jalen Tolbert, Chris Bell, Caleb Douglas, Kevin Coleman Jr., Malik Washington and Jalen Reagor.
Regarding the room, Poupart wrote: “Chris Bell remains a wild card here because he still hasn’t practiced at full speed and it’s not inconceivable he could begin the season on IR (with a designation to return). if he’s not, then the reality is there’s a free-for-all behind the three rookie draft picks and Washington.”
It marks what continues to be a disappointing offseason for Atwell with the Dolphins. He was originally deemed to be a “borderline lock” by Poupart, only to now be projected to miss out on the team’s final roster.
Tutu Atwell’s Offseason
Atwell has totaled only one reception for one yard in two preseason games. After his second consecutive game without providing much of an impact, Dolphins on SI’s Jake Gibson labeled him a “loser” from the game. Gibson wrote: “The story of the night for Atwell was his inability to reel in targets. He had two drops against the Giants — one was contested, while the other was a straight miss on third down, which would have been helpful considering Bradley Pinion had to punt from inside the end zone to close out that drive.”
He has also reportedly been disappointing during team practices in training camp. After the first week of training camp, The Miami Herald’s Omar Kelly labeled him as one of the biggest disappointments, as he said while on The Dolphins Collective, “I’ve been saying this from OTAs. The athleticism, the speed, there should be way more productivity than what I’m seeing, which is no productivity. He’s had one good day in six practices. You’re the most experienced receiver, you’re clearly the fastest receiver, you’re probably the most talented receiver, you’re probably the most accomplished receiver, why are you invisible?”
The former second-round pick’s speed and athleticism is likely an element that Miami lacks; however, if he does not show off those tools, it appears his time with the Dolphins may be cut short.
Dolphins Predicted to Cut Ties With $15 Million Talent After Lackluster Preseason Performance