A surprising Dolphins personnel move from the spring has become an even more curious case thanks to the latest plot twist from Mike McDaniel on Monday
One of the Dolphins’ most surprising moves of the spring has taken another odd turn.
The Miami Dolphins‘ efforts to revamp their offensive line in 2025 have been a mixed bag thus far. Miami’s young left tackle, Patrick Paul, has been impressive but imperfect. Center Aaron Brewer, in his second season in the system, has been sensational. But the other three spots have yet to materialize as hoped. Rookie guard Jonah Savaiinaea has struggled in pass protection — twists, stunts, and anchoring have all been inconsistent at best.
And then there’s the right side of the line. Miami’s prized free agent signing, guard James Daniels, lasted three plays in Week 1 before a pec injury landed him on injured reserve. Starting right tackle Austin Jackson fared better than that, but not by much. He played nearly all of Miami’s opening game against the Colts but landed on injured reserve alongside Daniels ahead of Week 2. Swing tackle Larry Borom has been sturdy enough, whereas the right guard spot has now seen three players take snaps before the end of the team’s third game of the season.
All of this is before you mention one of Miami’s most curious personnel moves of the offseason, which just got another bizarre update from head coach Mike McDaniel on Monday.
Veteran offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg continues to show no signs of being ready
The Dolphins could have easily thrown their hands up from interior offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg and walked away this offseason. Eichenberg, a second-round draft choice by the Dolphins in 2021, was not done many favors by Miami early in his career — pin-balling from left tackle to right tackle and back as a rookie, then inside to left guard before landing at center in his third season in 2023. The final year of his rookie contract in 2024 saw him land and stay at a single position. He played 1,036 snaps at right guard. Although, for full disclosure, he ended up platooning the final few games of the season with Isaiah Wynn.
He wasn’t particularly impactful at any spot despite getting tested at all five positions. Miami churned through offensive systems and line coaches early in his career to go with the constant position changes and his own shortcomings, all of which built up to a disappointing draft selection given that the Dolphins traded up for him in 2021.
It happens. However, Miami made the surprising decision to bring Eichenberg back for the 2025 season. The selling point was that there was position versatility and experience within Miami’s scheme that made him an attractive utility lineman. All well and good. A decision that was popular at the time? Certainly not. But the logic could at least be argued.
Yet, it became apparent quickly this summer that something was off with Eichenberg when the team reported for training camp. He was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list when the start of camp rolled around in July. And now, two months later, he appears no closer to a return to action. Mike McDaniel offered an uninspiring update on Eichenberg’s status on Monday.
“I think what (Eichenberg) is dealing with is of the chronic nature, so as of right now, that’s going to take more time. I would say that’s going to take a little more time,” said McDaniel when asked if the fifth-year lineman was close to a return.
Things happen. It’s football. And if someone’s body isn’t right, there’s not much you can do about it. But this one is a kick in the pants because the Dolphins chose to double down on a one-year contract extension with Eichenberg after four frustrating years, only to see him shelved for at least a significant portion of his fifth season.
Miami could have easily gone a different direction to address some offensive line depth and lean into more upside, or alternatively, found a better fit for the system. Eichenberg had been lauded for his toughness and his preparation. But neither helps the Dolphins from the reserve list.
All we know, for now, is that Eichenberg doesn’t appear any closer to a return. That means this already curious decision can be filed as a frustrating misstep from the 2025 offseason, even if the chronic injury in question wasn’t on their radar when he was re-signed.
Hindsight is always 20/20, but a new contract for Eichenberg didn’t feel like it was destined to be a successful move when it was first announced, anyway. This is simply adding injury to insult.
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