The 2025 season was the Miami Dolphins' 56th in the National Football League (NFL), their 60th overall, their tenth and final under general manager Chris Grier and their fourth and final under head coach Mike McDaniel. The Dolphins failed to improve on their 8âÂÂ9 record from last year. Despite starting the season with a 1âÂÂ6 record, the Dolphins had a midseason turnaround, winning five of their next six to keep their playoff hopes alive late season. However, after a loss in Week 15 to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Miami was officially eliminated from postseason contention for the second year in a row. This also extended their playoff win drought to 25 seasons. On October 31, the Dolphins and general manager Chris Grier parted ways shortly after a Week 9 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. After an inconsistent season from starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, he was benched ahead of the week 16 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals for rookie Quinn Ewers. The Dolphins went 5âÂÂ4 at home but 2âÂÂ6 on the road, which ultimately cost them a trip to the postseason.
Head coach Mike McDaniel was fired on January 8, 2026, following the conclusion of the season.
Draft trades
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
With the blowout loss (their first Week 1 loss since 2020), the Dolphins started the season 0âÂÂ1.
With their first home loss to New England since 2019 (first overall since 2022), the Dolphins fell to 0âÂÂ2 and 0âÂÂ1 against the AFC East. This marked quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's first ever loss to the Patriots as their starting quarterback in his career.
With their 7th consecutive loss to the Bills since 2022, the Dolphins dropped to 0âÂÂ3 on the season.
The Dolphins' first win of the season was marred when Tyreek Hill was lost to a season-ending knee injury early in the third quarter. Nonetheless, this was the Dolphins' tenth consecutive home win over the Jets.
The Dolphins blew a 17âÂÂ0 lead and lost to Bryce Young and the Panthers, 27âÂÂ24. Miami was also notably outgained 239âÂÂ19 on the ground in this game, resulting in the Dolphins falling to 1âÂÂ4.
The Dolphins overcame a 26âÂÂ13 fourth-quarter deficit to take a 27âÂÂ26 lead with 46 seconds remaining. However, they allowed Justin Herbert to connect on a 42-yard pass to wide receiver Ladd McConkey, which set up a game-winning 33-yard field goal. With the loss, the Dolphins fell to 1âÂÂ5. It marked their worst start since 2021.
Following the game, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa made comments that publicly called out his teammates, drawing widespread scrutiny from former NFL players and analysts.
With the embarrassing loss, the Dolphins drop to 1âÂÂ6 and 0âÂÂ1 against the AFC North.
Despite entering the game as touchdown underdogs, the Dolphins dominated the Falcons in a big upset victory. The Dolphins improved to 2âÂÂ6 and 1âÂÂ1 against the NFC South.
The Dolphins turned in another disappointing performance and lost 28âÂÂ6 to Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. This dropped Miami to 2âÂÂ7 and 0âÂÂ2 against the AFC North.
The next day, the Dolphins announced that general manager Chris Grier and the team had mutually agreed to part ways. Grier, who had been with the organization since 2000 and served as general manager since 2016, finished his tenure with Miami with five winning seasons and three playoff appearances, but no postseason victories.
Although the Bills entered the game as more than touchdown favorites (-8.5), the Dolphins crushed them, blowing the game open and snapping their seven-game losing streak to Buffalo. This was Miami's first win over the Bills since Week 3 of the 2022 season.
The Dolphins and Commanders played in Madrid in the first NFL regular season game held in Spain as part of the NFL International Series.
On the first play of overtime, Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota threw an interception to Jack Jones, which set up a game-winning 29-yard field goal by Riley Patterson.
With their fourth win in their last 5 games against Washington since 2011, the Dolphins improved to 4âÂÂ7 entering their bye.
With their first home win against the Saints since 1998, the Dolphins improved to 5âÂÂ7 and 2âÂÂ1 against the NFC South.
Tua Tagovailoa recorded his first career win in a game with a kickoff temperature of 46 degrees or colder, as the kickoff temperature was 41 degrees.
With the loss, the Dolphins fell to 6âÂÂ8 (0âÂÂ3 against the AFC North) and they were eliminated from playoff contention.
Two days later, the Dolphins announced that Tua Tagovailoa would be benched following his struggles, with rookie Quinn Ewers named as the starting quarterback.
With the loss, Miami secured their second straight losing season as they fell to 6âÂÂ9 and they were the only AFC East team that was swept by the AFC North.
With their first win against the Buccaneers since 2009, the Dolphins improved to 7âÂÂ9, finishing 3âÂÂ1 against the NFC South (4âÂÂ1 against the NFC) and 5âÂÂ4 at home.
With the loss, the Dolphins were swept by the Patriots for the first time since 2016, and finished the season 7âÂÂ10 (3âÂÂ3 against the AFC East) and 2âÂÂ6 on the road. Head Coach Mike McDaniel was fired four days after.