The Miami Dolphins are considering lineup changes after their 0-2 start—and there are several position groups worth watching
Several Miami Dolphins position groups may be feeling the heat inside the building as the Dolphins prepare for their home opener against Kansas City.
Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley is not ruling out lineup changes after a frustrating start to the 2026 season. The Dolphins dropped their Week 2 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers 35-13 and Hafley’s Monday press conference suggested this staff is going to keep the het on the plays.
Citing communication as a major issue, Hafley acknowledged that conversations about personnel changes are indeed happening behind the scenes.
Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley leaves the door open for lineup changes
“I think we have to make sure that there’s constant competition. And if that means someone plays more or less as we evaluate the tape, yeah. I think there’s certain positions where I’d be lying to you if I didn’t say that there was those conversations (about playing time changing) and that we need to continue to have those conversations.”
— Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley
The safety room is one place where change has already arrived. Zayne Anderson ceded the vast majority of his snaps in Week 2. They went to a pair of younger options in Michael Taaffe, a 5th-round rookie, and Dante Trader, a second-year pro. That transition happened organically through the first two weeks — but the young guys will presumably need to play well to keep the snaps.
Right tackle is another position worth watching, though Hafley offered something of a caveat in his press conference. He noted that there are more ways the coaching staff can help Austin Jackson. He also acknowledged the brutal draw of pass-rushing opponents Miami has faced. Drawing Nick Bosa and Max Crosby in the first two weeks is about as tough a 1-2 punch as any right tackle in the league has had to open a season. That context may buy some time, but the leash could shorten if production doesn’t improve against more manageable matchups.
Linebacker is another position group to consider after the 49ers game. Willie Gay has stepped in for injured rookie Trey Moore as the SAM linebacker. His performance against San Francisco appeared to be at the center of more than one coverage bust and miscommunication that led to explosive plays for the 49ers’ offense. If the Dolphins can’t get that position stabilized, some overall front tinkering may be in order.
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