One struggling Miami Dolphins starter was unofficially put on notice this week
The Miami Dolphins appear to be sending an unofficial warning shot to one of their specialists.
Miami Dolphins kicker Riley Patterson has had a rough start to the 2026 season. Largely considered automatic for Miami in 2025, he has missed a field goal in each of the first 2 games. The Dolphins appear to have taken notice.
And it appears as though they’re acting accordingly. Miami entertained several new faces for a workout this week at the position.
Is Riley Patterson’s seat is getting warm in Miami?
Miami unofficially put Patterson on notice this week by hosting several kickers among a slew of tryouts at the team’s facility. The Dolphins didn’t make any formal signings coming out of the workouts, but the message was clear. Bringing in competition at the position serves as a shot across the bow for Patterson to get himself into gear and find more consistency with his kicking.
If Patterson can’t right the ship, he may soon find himself on the outside looking in. The Dolphins’ special teams unit has been trying to get back on track, and unreliable kicking only compounds those struggles of the team. Missing a field goal in back-to-back weeks is the kind of trend that can, eventually, force a team’s hand. Miami isn’t there yet. But this does stand as a signal that it may be willing to make that change if necessary.
For now, Patterson remains the team’s kicker. But the tryouts make one thing clear: the grace may not last forever.The Miami Dolphins aren’t likely to sit idle if the misses keep piling up.
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