Chris Perkins: Dolphins to rebuild in mold of recent Super Bowl teams

Chris Perkins, South Florida Sun Sentinel on Jun 16, 2026

Published in Football

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MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — When I watched Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis at minicamp and organized team activities one thought came to mind: I sure hope he’s in the right system, meaning a team that has a strong defense and emphasizes defense as much as offense.

I’ve been assured publicly and privately that that’s the case, that Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley, a former defensive coordinator, both believe strongly in utilizing a balanced offensive-defensive attack as opposed to utilizing a fashionable quarterback-heavy attack.

One of my recent rants has been noting the trend of strong defense and non-Hall of Fame quarterbacks among recent Super Bowl teams. Each of the six teams over the past three years has had a top-10 defense and a top-four scoring defense. And only one of those quarterbacks — Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes — seems destined for the Hall of Fame.

Sullivan, I know for a fact, is aware of that trend.

The problem for the Dolphins is that their defense, which will be under Hafley’s direction this season, finished No. 22 in the league last year (348.8 yards allowed per game) — No. 26 against the run (132.4 ypg), No. 18 against the pass (216.4 ypg) — and they only return five starters.

Just as the franchise needed a major rebuild, the Dolphins defense needs a major rebuild.

Still, the reassurance that both Sullivan and Hafley understand the role that defense has played in reaching and winning Super Bowls gives me more faith that this rebuild is being approached correctly.

Sullivan and Hafley understand that Willis’ initial success will depend more on the system they choose than Willis’ rocket right arm or his fleet legs.

Contrary to the pithy saying, it’s not all about quarterback.

Winning in the NFL is about balance, not speed.

As you might know, I’m a huge proponent of teams that can win with their defense or run game as well as their passing game.

We already knew that Sullivan and Hafley both believe in building from the inside out, meaning being strong in the trenches, and having a strong run game.

The trend of the past three Super Bowls says it’s critical to help your above-average quarterback with a strong defense.

The Dolphins defense is led by veteran tackle Zach Sieler, a borderline Pro Bowl candidate, and veteran linebackers Jordyn Brooks, an All Pro, and Tyrel Dodson, the defensive signal-caller.

The defense also includes tackles Kenneth Grant, last year’s first-round pick, along with Jordan Phillips, the 2025 fifth-round pick, and Zeek Biggers, last year’s seventh-round pick. At this point in their young careers they represent hope more than results.

And there’s defensive ends Chop Robinson, the 2024 first-round pick, and David Ojabo and Josh Uche, a pair of veterans looking to regain their past glory.

Rookie cornerback Chris Johnson, one of this year’s first-round picks, is joined by rookie linebackers Jacob Rodriguez (second round), Trey Moore and Kyle Louis (fourth round) to provide youthful talent.

Safety Dante Trader Jr., one of last year’s fifth-round picks, provides an even bigger dosage of youthful talent.

If the Dolphins run the correct offense and have the correct overall structure, meaning relying on a strong defense to help shoulder the burden, they’ll only need Willis to be as good as, say, Seattle’s Sam Darnold, who won the Super Bowl with the Seahawks last season, or perhaps Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts, who won the Super Bowl two years ago.

If the Dolphins opt for the hero system on offense, such as this franchise has seen recently with quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Ryan Tannehill, then they’ll need Willis to be as good as Tom Brady or Mahomes.

It’s not a sexy thought, but the reality is that the defensive guys are just as responsible for the rebuild, and just as important to Miami’s Super Bowl hopes, as Willis.

There’s a reason San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy and Detroit quarterback Jared Goff have been to a Super Bowl (Goff went with the Los Angeles Rams) while Buffalo’s Josh Allen and Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson, a pair of league MVPs, haven’t been to a Super Bowl.

Purdy and Goff were on complete teams that could win games in multiple ways.

The Dolphins finally seem to see the light.

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