If you're asking about the record of the Miami Dolphins, you're likely looking for a quick number. But in South Florida, numbers rarely tell the whole story. As of the conclusion of the 2025-2026 NFL regular season, the Miami Dolphins finished with a 7-10 record.
It wasn't pretty. Honestly, for a team that started the year with high-octane playoff ambitions, ending up three games under .500 felt like a gut punch to a fanbase that has been waiting since the year 2000 to see a postseason victory. They finished third in the AFC East, looking up at the New England Patriots (14-3) and the Buffalo Bills (12-5).
Breaking Down the 2025 Miami Dolphins Record
The season was basically a tale of two halves. Actually, more like a tale of a disastrous start, a mid-season miracle, and a final whimper.
Miami stumbled out of the gate with a 1-6 record. It was chaos. Tua Tagovailoa dealt with injuries, the defense looked like it was playing on roller skates, and the "fire everyone" chants started early at Hard Rock Stadium. By October 31, 2025, long-time General Manager Chris Grier and the team parted ways after a decade of his leadership. Champ Kelly stepped in as the interim GM, and suddenly, the vibes shifted.
Under Kelly and head coach Mike McDaniel, the Dolphins went on a tear, winning five of their next six games. They even beat the Bills 30-13 in Week 10—a game where the defense finally looked elite. For a second there, we all thought they might actually sneak into a Wild Card spot. But the wheels fell off in December. A Week 15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers (15-28) officially eliminated them from the playoffs for the second straight year.
Notable Games from the 7-10 Campaign
- The Madrid Game (Week 11): Miami beat the Washington Commanders 16-13 in overtime. This happened at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Spain. It was ugly, low-scoring, and somehow legendary.
- The Jets Sweep: If there's one thing Dolphins fans can hang their hats on, it’s beating the New York Jets. They won 27-21 in Week 4 and crushed them 34-10 in Week 14.
- The Season Finale: A 10-38 loss to the New England Patriots. It was a reminder of how far the gap has grown between the top of the division and the middle.
The Long View: All-Time Record of the Miami Dolphins
If you look at the big picture, the Dolphins are still a "legacy" franchise, even if the last two decades haven't felt like it. Since their founding in 1966, the Dolphins have a cumulative regular-season record of 504 wins, 408 losses, and 4 ties.
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That sounds great, right? It is. But that record is heavily carried by the Don Shula era. Under Shula, the Dolphins only had two losing seasons in 26 years. Since Dan Marino retired in 1999, the franchise has basically been the definition of "mid."
Postseason Struggles and the "25-Year Curse"
The record of the Miami Dolphins in the playoffs is currently 20-23.
Here is the stat that keeps Miamians up at night: The Dolphins have the longest active postseason win drought in the NFL. Their last playoff win was on December 30, 2000, against the Indianapolis Colts. Since then, they've made the playoffs six times (2001, 2008, 2016, 2022, 2023) and lost the Wild Card round every single time.
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Franchise Milestones to Remember
- 1972 (17-0): The only perfect season in NFL history. They won Super Bowl VII and never looked back.
- 1984 (14-2): The year Dan Marino broke the world. They reached Super Bowl XIX but lost to the 49ers.
- 2007 (1-15): The absolute floor. Cleo Lemon and Greg Camarillo’s overtime touchdown against the Ravens was the only thing that saved them from 0-16.
Why 7-10 Feels Different This Time
The 2025 record of 7-10 triggered a massive shift in the organization. Most significantly, Mike McDaniel’s tenure as head coach ended with the conclusion of this season. While he brought a fun, creative offense that saw De'Von Achane become a Pro Bowler and Jaylen Waddle continue to shine, the lack of consistency—especially on the road—was his undoing.
In 2025, the Dolphins were 5-4 at home but a dismal 2-6 on the road. They simply couldn't handle the cold or the pressure of hostile environments.
What’s Next for the Dolphins?
The 2026 offseason is officially the "Year of the Reset." With Chris Grier and Mike McDaniel gone, owner Stephen Ross is looking for a new direction. Ross recently turned down offers to sell the team for nearly $15 billion, stating he wants to keep the team in his family and eventually pass it to his son-in-law, Daniel Sillman.
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For fans, the focus shifts to the 2026 NFL Draft. The Dolphins have some young pieces, but the quarterback situation remains the $200 million question. Tua Tagovailoa's future is murky, and rookie Quinn Ewers saw some late-season action that split the fanbase down the middle.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Track the Head Coach Search: Keep an eye on defensive-minded candidates. After years of offensive gurus, the rumor mill suggests Stephen Ross wants a "culture setter."
- Salary Cap Watch: The Dolphins are currently tight on space. Expect some big-name veterans to be cut or restructured before March.
- Draft Position: By finishing 7-10, Miami holds a top-12 pick in the 2026 draft. This is prime territory for a franchise tackle or a blue-chip pass rusher.
The record is 7-10. The history is 504-408-4. The future? That’s still being written in the Miami humidity.