Assessing the 2023 Season: What the Dolphins Need to Change
The Miami Dolphins entered the 2023 season with expectations shaped by a strong finish in the previous year and a pulse-quickening mix of talent and optimism. Yet the year exposed gaps in depth, consistency, and strategic execution that extended beyond a single game or unit. As the franchise moves toward a new era under a likely new general manager in Jon-Eric Sullivan, the central question remains: how do you translate potential into consistent performance?
What a New GM Must Know About the Franchise’s 2023 Struggles
Any prospective GM should first acknowledge the structural issues that sabotaged momentum in crucial moments. Was the problem schematic offensively, or did the team’s depth and injury luck tilt more games than performance alone would explain? The answer shapes how the next regime prioritizes personnel, development, and culture. In a league where a handful of plays define seasons, the margin for error is slim, and the Dolphins must be precise in evaluating both talent and fit.
Culture and Cohesion: The Hidden Edge
Cupboard-stocking talent is essential, but culture and cohesion often win championships. The new GM must assess locker room dynamics, leadership development, and how the coaching staff harmonizes with players across positions. A healthy, accountable environment accelerates growth for young players while keeping established veterans engaged and productive. The challenge is building a club where players trust the process, coaches, and each other, even through adversity.
Strategic Offseason Moves: Short-Term Fixes vs. Long-Term Plans
In the immediate term, the Dolphins must balance cap flexibility with the need to add playmakers who impact both lines of scrimmage and the skill positions. The most effective offseason blends add-ons who can contribute immediately with a clear, patient plan to elevate the depth chart over multiple seasons. The new GM will have to weigh premium picks, free-agent opportunities, and potential trades, ensuring that every move supports a durable core rather than one-off Band-Aid solutions.
Quarterback Lifecycle: Ownership of the Position
Quarterback stability remains a franchise-wide barometer. If 2023 highlighted instability at the most influential position, the front office must present a credible plan, whether that means developing a current signal-caller further, integrating a new option through the draft, or evaluating veteran leadership that can lift the room. The right answer will reflect both the team’s current cap situation and its long-term window of contention.
Communication with Ownership: Clear Expectations
Silence isn’t a strategy in a high-stakes rebuild. The GM needs a transparent dialogue with team ownership and the fan base about timelines, metrics for success, and the criteria for personnel choices. A credible plan garners patience from stakeholders while signaling that the franchise is serious about restoring consistency and competitiveness.
Conclusion: A Fresh Start With a Shared Vision
Miami’s path forward hinges on a cohesive, well-communicated, and meticulously executed plan that aligns talent evaluation, culture, and strategic resource allocation. If Jon-Eric Sullivan is to steer this franchise through a pivotal turning point, his leadership must reflect a holistic understanding of what went wrong in 2023 and how to fix it. The Dolphins don’t just need better players; they need a unified approach that translates potential into sustained success on Sundays.
