The Miami Dolphins have discovered their new lead man and are anticipated to rent Inexperienced Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley to function their head coach, per CBS Sports activities’ Matt Zenitz. Hafley was a well-liked title this cycle and finally landed in Miami.
Hafley, who turns 47 in April, simply wrapped up his second season because the Packers’ defensive coordinator. His unit ranked No. 12 in whole protection, permitting 311.8 yards per sport, and No. 11 in scoring protection, permitting 21.2 factors per sport. The Packers have been eradicated within the wild card spherical final week after blowing the most important lead (18 factors) in postseason franchise historical past to rival Chicago Bears.
Hafley is well-traveled and skilled. He final served as the pinnacle coach at Boston Faculty for 4 seasons, going 22-26 earlier than leaving for the Packers. Earlier than his time at Boston Faculty, he spent a season as Ohio State’s co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. The Buckeyes allowed 13.7 factors per sport and 259.7 yards per sport that season, which ranked the fewest within the FBS. Hafley additionally coached defensive backs with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers, in addition to on the school degree at Pittsburgh and Rutgers.
Miami seen Hafley as a favourite, because the Dolphins just lately employed former Packers vp of participant personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan to function their new basic supervisor. Now, Sullivan brings in a well-recognized face to show the franchise round.
Miami turns to Hafley to substitute Mike McDaniel, who the Dolphins fired after he registered a 33-35 document over 4 seasons. McDaniel posted successful information in every of his first two seasons with the Dolphins however went 15-19 during the last two years. He didn’t win a single playoff sport and went 4-17 towards groups with successful information throughout his tenure.
The Dolphins have not gained a postseason sport since 2000, the longest lively playoff win drought within the NFL. There may be lots to be discovered in South Seaside this offseason, as star extensive receiver Tyreek Hill is anticipated to be launched and the Dolphins may very well be out there for a brand new quarterback as nicely. The Dolphins benched Tua Tagovailoa for rookie Quinn Ewers after Tagovailoa threw a career-high 15 interceptions in 14 video games. He signed a four-year, $212.4 million extension in 2024 and carries a $56.4 million cap hit in 2026.
Hafley a harbinger of a selected QB?
Given Tagovailoa’s contract, odds are he will probably be on Miami’s roster in 2026. A post-June 1 launch would lead to a $67.4 million lifeless cap hit for the Dolphins in 2026, a $31.8 million lifeless cap hit in 2027, plus an $11 million wage cap enhance in 2026.
What the Dolphins may do is herald “competitors” to battle Tagovailoa — just like what the Indianapolis Colts did with Anthony Richardson final 12 months by including Daniel Jones. Apparently sufficient, Hafley comes over from a workforce that at the moment has what often is the most intriguing quarterback on its roster this offseason.
Malik Willis is ready to be a free agent this offseason, and he has earned the appropriate to at the very least battle for a beginning job. After Jordan Love suffered a concussion within the Packers’ Week 16 loss to the Bears, Willis stepped into the beginning lineup the next week towards the Baltimore Ravens. Whereas Inexperienced Bay misplaced that sport, 41-24, Willis’ efficiency was exceptional.
Malik Willis is ready to be a free agent this offseason, and he is earned the appropriate to at the very least battle for a beginning job. After Jordan Love suffered a concussion within the Packers’ Week 16 loss to the Bears, Willis was known as upon to step into the beginning lineup the next week towards the Baltimore Ravens. Whereas Inexperienced Bay did lose that sport, 41-24, Willis’ efficiency was exceptional.
The previous third-round select of Liberty accomplished 18 of 21 passes for 288 yards and one landing and led the Packers in speeding with 60 yards and two extra touchdowns. In accordance with CBS Sports activities Analysis, Willis grew to become the primary quarterback ever to finish 85% of his passes whereas averaging 13 yards per try and speeding for 60 yards. His 13.7 yards per try have been probably the most by a quarterback with 50 speeding yards in a sport prior to now 50 seasons.
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For the reason that Tennessee Titans traded him to the Packers in 2024, Willis has gone 2-1 as a starter in Inexperienced Bay whereas averaging 204 passing yards per sport. He has thrown three touchdowns with zero interceptions in these begins and posted a 132.4 passer ranking. After his efficiency towards Baltimore, Packers coach Matt LaFleur even needed to publicly “pump the brakes” on the Willis hype.
With Willis in search of a brand new alternative, and the previous Packers vp of participant personnel taking on because the Dolphins’ basic supervisor — who then introduced over the previous Packers defensive coordinator to function head coach — the Dolphins abruptly turn out to be a workforce to observe as a possible Willis touchdown spot.
