Dolphins hoping big new investments can expand their menu for success after learning a tough lesson the hard way in 2024
Dolphins hoping big new investments can expand their menu for success after learning a tough lesson the hard way in 2024 originally appeared on A to Z Sports.
The regression of the Miami Dolphins offense in 2024 was a multi-layered issue that the team hopes that they’ve found some answers for. The injuries to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa undoubtedly played a part. But the team’s ability to play a balanced game week in and week out was limited at best and non-existent at its worst.
Miami tried to push some buttons in this regard over the past eight months — and now they’re ready to start getting a sampling of just what dividends the team can collect in 2025. The team dove into the backup quarterback pool with the signing of QB Zach Wilson but the team’s big investments this offseason have come at the guard position. Both figuratively and literally, this is the big shift in Miami’s philosophy in 2025.
Offensive coordinator Frank Smith recently just gave a glimpse and peek into what Miami is hoping to see come to life from their biggest new additions to an offense that went backwards in 2024.
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Dolphins revamped interior OL offers the key to a bigger play sheet in 2025
Jul 29, 2025; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins guard James Daniels (78) works on the field during training camp at Baptist Health Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn ImagesSam Navarro-Imagn Images
“I think (diverse guards) just allows you to do different schemes, different concepts that you leaned into in past seasons. I think ultimately you play to the strengths of the guys you got and what do they do well, and when you have guards that you’re very confident in, it allows you to do different things as far as attacking different parts of the structure of the defense. The beginning parts of camp went good especially, and the next couple of weeks we’re excited as we change the opponent. Really the next three weeks we’ll go versus us, Chicago, Detroit, Jacksonville, so it’ll be a good test for us the next three weeks.”
— Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith on new guards James Daniels & Jonah Savaiinaea
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Smith’s comments offer a passive look into the past and a look at the hopeful blueprint into the future. Remember in 2024 when the passing game went into a shell, the running game disappeared and the Dolphins leaned excessively backfield screens to operate their offense? The interior of the pocket can be tied directly to the execution of all phases of the offense.
Miami told us what they thought of last year’s guard play by spending two Day 2 picks to draft Jonah Savaiinaea and gave their biggest free agent contract of the offseason to James Daniels.
If it works, all of the things the Dolphins and their players have talked about all offseason will come to life. The diversification of the run game. The improved physicality in the trenches. The efficiency of the short-yardage conversions. The return of the home run ball. All of these things can be drawn to having a blend of athleticism and power across the board up front, not just at the tackle position.
It’s unfortunate that the Dolphins had to learn this lesson the hard way, but they absolutely did in 2024. The wide zone systems, pretty much anywhere they’ve gone in the NFL, have always seemingly had to run into a scheme brick wall before realizing the offense had to diversify and a reliance on outside zone and angles would only carry an offense so far. Sean McVay found that out in the Super Bowl loss to New England. Kyle Shanahan and company tried to undertake something similar as the Jimmy Garoppolo years pressed against a glass ceiling. Matt LaFleur’s Packers have drafted a guard in the first round in 2024 and paid Aaron Banks (from San Francisco, ironically enough) $19 million per season to change the DNA of their interior.
Mike McDaniel’s Miami Dolphins did the same thing this offseason. It should open up the play sheet and give the Dolphins a more diverse, less predictable, and balanced offense in 2025. That is, at least according to Smith this week, what the Dolphins hope to continue to see emerge this week in their time in Chicago, and then Detroit.
This story was originally reported by A to Z Sports on Aug 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
