The Miami Dolphins are in a weird spot right now. If you're looking for a score from a game today, January 18, 2026, you won't find one. The Fins are officially in the "clean out the locker room and wait for the new boss" phase of the year. After a rough season that saw them finish well out of the playoff picture, the action has moved from the turf at Hard Rock Stadium to the front office.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a mess.
Today is all about the fallout of a massive organizational shift. With the recent hiring of Jon-Eric Sullivan as the new General Manager, the headlines aren't about pulled hamstrings or touchdown catches—they’re about who is staying and who is being shown the door. Sullivan has been vocal today about "flushing the mercenary culture," which is a pretty spicy way to describe the current roster.
The De’Von Achane Situation
One of the biggest questions fans have today is about De’Von Achane. He’s easily the most explosive player left on the team, but he ended the season on the shelf with a shoulder injury.
The good news? He’s expected to be a full go for the offseason program.
Achane was arguably the only bright spot in an otherwise depressing 2025 campaign. He finished the year with 1,350 rushing yards and 12 total touchdowns. If you watched the Week 18 loss to the Patriots, you saw how much the offense missed him. Without Achane, the Dolphins' running game basically evaporated, leaving rookie Jaylen Wright to handle a workload he wasn't quite ready for. Today, the medical staff confirmed that Achane won't require surgery on that shoulder, which is a massive win for a team that can't afford to lose more star power.
What’s Up with the Quarterback Room?
You can't talk about the Dolphins without talking about the quarterback drama. It’s unavoidable. Tua Tagovailoa has been the subject of endless speculation today following comments from the new front office.
Sullivan and the remaining coaching staff have hinted at a "wide-open competition" for 2026. This comes after a year where Tua struggled with regression and health, eventually leading to a benching that most fans saw coming but still hated to see.
- Quinn Ewers: The rookie is still recovering from a knee injury but is the "darling" of the scouting department.
- The Draft: Miami holds the 11th overall pick. Draft experts like Travis Wingfield are already mocking quarterbacks to the Fins at that spot.
- Cam Miller: The late-season pickup from the Raiders practice squad remains on the roster, but he’s likely just camp depth.
It’s a tough pill to swallow for Tua fans. He’s been the face of the franchise, but the "mercenary" comments today suggest the team is looking for a complete culture reset.
Injury Updates and Roster Moves
Because the season is over, "what happened today" involves a lot of administrative moves. The team officially processed several futures contracts, including signing Brown (a practice squad standout) to a deal for 2026.
Meanwhile, the injury report is still long, even if they aren't playing. Tyreek Hill remains on IR with that dislocated left knee from October. Jaylen Waddle is still nursing rib issues. Even the kicker, Jason Sanders, is dealing with a hip injury that landed him on the shelf.
It feels like the entire roster is held together by athletic tape and prayers right now.
Key Names on the Mend
- Chop Robinson: Clearing concussion protocol after a scary hit in late December.
- Minkah Fitzpatrick: Dealing with a persistent calf injury that sidelined him for the finale.
- Austin Jackson: Managing a back issue that has plagued him for half the season.
The strategy today seems to be "rest and evaluate." Sullivan is reportedly meeting with the scouting department this afternoon to decide which of these injured veterans actually fit into the 2026 vision.
The Search for a New Head Coach
While the players are healing, the hunt for a leader is heating up. Jeff Hafley, the Packers Defensive Coordinator, is currently the frontrunner. He’s scheduled for a second in-person interview, and his connection to Sullivan makes him the "safe" pick.
However, fans are restless. The "big whale" dream of landing someone like John Harbaugh died when he signed with the Giants. Today, names like Kevin Stefanski and Robert Saleh are floating around Dolphins camp, but the vibe is skeptical.
The Dolphins are a team at a crossroads. They have elite talent in guys like Achane and Waddle, but the foundation is shaky. Today's updates prove that the recovery process—both physical and organizational—is going to be a long one.
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To stay ahead of the curve, keep a close eye on the 11th overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. The team's decision there will tell you exactly what they think of the current quarterback situation. Also, watch the waiver wire for more "futures" signings as Sullivan continues to purge the roster of players he deems "mercenaries."