The NFL’s latest rankings revived one joke that Miami Dolphins fans have grown tired of hearing

One of the Miami Dolphins’ many former talents got a nod of respect on Wednesday to continue a long-running joke amongst Dolphins fans.

Kyle Crabbs — NFL National Writer
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Dec 27, 2021; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) is tackled by Miami Dolphins inside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (43) and outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips (15) during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Some jokes never get old. This one isn’t one of them. It’s been a long-standing joke about players leaving the Miami Dolphins and them getting better recognition than they did in South Florida. ‘That’s so Dolphins,’ fans will say.

There’s some new content for the bit as of this morning. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, as he does every summer, has released a poll from NFL executives, scouts, and coaches for the top EDGE defenders in all of football. And, after several seasons of frustration in South Florida, former Dolphin Jaelan Phillips was named an honorable mention just months after Miami traded him to the Philadelphia Eagles.

NFL executives vote former Miami Dolphins EDGE Jaelan Phillips among league’s best in 2026

Dec 27, 2021; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) is tackled by Miami Dolphins inside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (43) and outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips (15).Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

It’s one last twist of the knife for the Dolphins. Jaelan Phillips has always been a supreme physical talent. His play in 2022 and early in 2023 seemingly had him on the fast track to superstardom. Even if the sack numbers never fell into place the way they could have. But Phillips spent the second half of 2023 and 2024 mired in injury and therefore was never able to take his next step as a player.

2025 brought a fresh chance and Phillips generally (…kind of) delivered. He was a constant source of pressure in both Miami and then again in Philadelphia after the trade deadline. But the sack production still never followed. He ended the season with five sacks: three with the Dolphins and two with the Eagles.

Even without the sack production, NFL executives, coaches and scouts gave him recognition as an honorable mention in Fowler’s poll. He’s also got a much more rewarding validation this offseason from the Carolina Panthers: a $120 million contract. I’d love nothing more than to see Phillips, who was a beacon of professionalism and goodwill in the South Florida community, put it all together in 2026. Even if it extends one of the league’s most cruel running bits against the Dolphins. Because this joke has most certainly gotten old — even with how predictable it has become.

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