The Miami Dolphins have secured their new head coach, expected to be Jeff Hafley, who served as the Green Bay Packers’ defensive coordinator. This update comes from CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz.
At 47 years old, Hafley just completed his second season with the Packers, where his defense held the No. 12 spot in total yards allowed at 311.8 per game, and No. 11 in scoring defense, allowing 21.2 points per game. The Packers’ playoff journey ended in disappointment as they lost to the Chicago Bears after squandering an 18-point lead, the largest in their postseason history.
Hafley has a diverse coaching background, having previously been the head coach at Boston College for four seasons with a record of 22-26. His experience spans various roles, including a stint as co-defensive coordinator at Ohio State, where the Buckeyes finished with a remarkable 13.7 points allowed per game and 259.7 yards allowed, leading the FBS that year. Additionally, Hafley coached defensive backs for notable NFL teams such as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns, and San Francisco 49ers, as well as in college at Pittsburgh and Rutgers.
The Dolphins targeted Hafley, especially after hiring Jon-Eric Sullivan, the former Packers vice president of player personnel, as their new general manager. This connection brings Hafley closer to Miami, as both come from a successful Packers background.
Hafley steps in to replace Mike McDaniel, who was let go after posting a 33-35 record over four seasons. McDaniel had winning records during his first two seasons; however, his team struggled in the last two years, finishing 15-19, failing to secure a playoff victory, and falling to a 4-17 record against opponents with winning records.
The Dolphins’ search for success is particularly urgent since they haven’t triumphed in the playoffs since 2000, marking the longest postseason win drought in the NFL. With star wide receiver Tyreek Hill likely on the release list and rumors swirling about a new quarterback, Miami faces critical offseason decisions. Tua Tagovailoa found himself benched for rookie Quinn Ewers after throwing a career-high 15 interceptions over 14 games. Tagovailoa’s four-year, $212.4 million extension carries a hefty $56.4 million cap hit for 2026.
Could Hafley Signal Changes for the QB Dynamic?
Assuming Tagovailoa stays on the roster through 2026, releasing him post-June 1 would incur a staggering $67.4 million dead cap hit, complicating Miami’s financial strategy for the future.
One potential avenue is to introduce competition for Tagovailoa, drawing parallels to how the Indianapolis Colts brought in Daniel Jones to push Anthony Richardson last season. Hafley’s connections within the Packers organization could open doors for talent acquisition.
Malik Willis, who is set to hit free agency, has made a name for himself after stepping in as starter when Jordan Love suffered a concussion in a Week 16 matchup against the Bears. Despite a loss against the Ravens, Willis’ performance in that game showcased his potential.
Willis, a third-round pick from Liberty, completed 18 of 21 passes for 288 yards and one touchdown while also leading the Packers in rushing with 60 yards and two touchdowns. Notably, he set a record as the first quarterback to complete 85% of passes while averaging 13 yards per attempt and rushing for at least 60 yards in a game over the last 50 seasons.
Since joining the Packers, Willis has shown promise as a starter, maintaining a 2-1 record while averaging 204 passing yards per game and posting a passer rating of 132.4. Not to mention, he has thrown three touchdowns with no interceptions. Following his strong outing against Baltimore, Packers coach Matt LaFleur felt the need to temper the rising expectations around Willis.
With Willis seeking new opportunities and Sullivan’s hiring aligning with Hafley’s new role as head coach, the Dolphins may be positioning themselves as a potential landing spot for Willis this offseason.
