All articles tagged with #jeff hafley
In the Dolphins’ preseason opener, Malik Willis led a 14-play touchdown drive, going 4-of-5 for 45 yards and adding 9 rushing yards on two attempts. Coach Jeff Hafley called him extremely composed and accurate with strong leadership, highlighting the O-line and the run game with De’Von Achane; Achane added that Willis’s dual-threat ability makes him a dynamic addition as Miami builds its post-Tua foundation.
Miami Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley warned that running back De’Von Achane could be a workhorse this season, predicting some games with 40–45 touches and joking that Hafley might have to carry him back to the locker room, while praising Achane’s intelligence, leadership, and energy.
Quarterback Malik Willis signs with the Miami Dolphins after the start of free agency, citing his familiarity with new head coach Jeff Hafley and GM Jon-Eric Sullivan from their Green Bay tenure and valuing the stability and growth they’re building in Miami.
The Miami Dolphins agreed to terms with Malik Willis, signing the former Packers backup to a three-year, $67.5 million contract, a move that coach Jeff Hafley and GM Jon-Eric Sullivan view as a long-term vote of confidence in Willis as a potential successor to Tua Tagovailoa, who is expected to be released; the three-year deal provides Miami with stability and a clear quarterback plan beyond two years.
The Dolphins are prioritizing cornerback in the 2026 NFL Draft. At the Combine, LSU’s Mansoor Delane signaled enthusiasm to speak with new coach Jeff Hafley, who had recruited him at Boston College, hinting at a potential fit. Delane is a unanimous All-American known for lockdown coverage, and mock drafts often place him or Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy (injury in 2025 but now medically cleared) with Miami. With a thin cornerback group including Jason Marshall Jr., Storm Duck, and JuJu Brents, Delane is viewed by some as the safer option for Miami’s first pick, though other positions like edge rushers are also in play.
The Miami Dolphins are hiring Sean Duggan, previously Green Bay's linebackers coach with ties to new head coach Jeff Hafley from their Boston College days, as the team's defensive coordinator for 2026, with Hafley expected to call the defense.
The Miami Dolphins have hired Sean Duggan, Packers linebackers coach and Hafley ally, as their new defensive coordinator, replacing Anthony Weaver. Hafley will call the defense but wants a coordinator who knows his system, and Duggan has previously worked with Hafley at Ohio State, Boston College, and Green Bay. The staff change comes as the Dolphins largely settle their coaching team, and it also affects compensatory-pick opportunities tied to Weaver’s head-coaching candidacies elsewhere, with the Raiders and Cardinals reportedly pursuing other candidates (Klint Kubiak and Mike LaFleur).
Green Bay hired Jonathan Gannon as defensive coordinator, prompting a data-driven comparison of his defenses (Cardinals 2023–25 and Eagles 2021–22) with Jeff Hafley’s Packers units (2024–25). Across points allowed, passer rating, sacks, takeaways, and third-down efficiency, the numbers show mixed results tied to each stop’s scheme and play-calling duties, with some contrasts in blitzing and man-coverage tendencies. Overall, the Packers’ defensive identity may not drastically change despite the leadership shift.
Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley hired Bobby Slowik as the team’s offensive coordinator, moving away from Packers candidates and leveraging Slowik’s background with the 49ers and Texans. Hafley has not yet named a non-play-calling defensive coordinator, and Packers assistants could still be options.
Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley is reportedly naming Bobby Slowik their new offensive coordinator, a move that maintains continuity with the current staff and leverages Slowik’s rising status from the 49ers and Texans. Slowik, who has interviewed for other OC jobs (including Philadelphia) but is staying in Miami, would bring familiarity with Dolphins players and a system aligned with Hafley’s plans. The team is also weighing whether to keep offensive line coach Butch Barry, while evaluating defensive coordinator candidates as Frank Smith is effectively out.
The Miami Dolphins have kept Bobby Slowik as offensive coordinator under new head coach Jeff Hafley, reuniting them after their time with the 49ers. Slowik, formerly the Texans’ OC, now faces the challenge of reviving a lagging Miami offense and evaluating quarterback options as the team moves forward from last season.
The Miami Dolphins hired Jeff Hafley as their new head coach, a figure in high demand from multiple NFL teams; the decision was aided by GM Jon-Eric Sullivan, and Hafley chose Miami after weighing options as other teams — including the Titans — pursued him.
With Tua Tagovailoa’s future uncertain, Miami is reportedly eyeing Malik Willis as a potential bridge quarterback following Jeff Hafley’s remarks, while evaluating Willis’s fit and other QB options in free agency and considering coaching continuity.
Dolphins owner Stephen Ross appeared to forget new head coach Jeff Hafley’s name during Hafley's introductory press conference, a moment attributed to his age but seen as a minor blip on Hafley's first day amid broader questions about Ross's involvement and past tampering penalties.
Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley said he will call defensive plays and aims to finalize his three coordinators by the weekend, while the quarterback job will be a central focus with a mix of internal options, draft, and free-agent targets (including Malik Willis) as GM Jon-Eric Sullivan leads the search.