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After Jon-Eric Sullivan and Jeff Hafley were hired by the Miami Dolphins this offseason, many have referred to the organization as "Green Bay South" because both spent time with the Packers.
But one storyline worth watching during training camp is just how much the Dolphins will change both on and off the field.
Miami is expected to transition from a team that relied on speed and finesse under former coach Mike McDaniel to one built on grit and physicality in the trenches. That reputation led critics and former players to label the Dolphins as soft.
Why the pads change everything for Miami
Sullivan and Hafley's goal, beginning in training camp, is to build a team that can run the football and win in late-season road conditions. That process begins when training camp opens on July 28.
"I think the physicality part on the field, I mean that really can't come [until] the pads are on and that will come in training camp," Hafley said during the spring. "I think the mental toughness, I think the strain in the meeting rooms, the strain in the weight room, the running piece of it.
"I think that all builds to a level of toughness, right? It's not just about being physically tough on the field; it's the mental toughness to show up on time every single day and lock in, work in the meeting rooms and take notes and be alert."
It's no secret that a lack of toughness and physicality has plagued the Dolphins for years. Under Hafley, Miami wants to establish not only a consistent rushing attack led by De'Von Achane but also a defense capable of stopping the run.
The NFL's best teams don't just have speed and talent at the skill positions. They also play with toughness and physicality. That's difficult to establish during OTAs and minicamp, when tackling isn't permitted. But beginning next week, the Dolphins' new identity will start to take shape, for better or worse.
What Jeff Hafley's Dolphins rebuild really measures
Miami is entering the first year of what it hopes will be a short rebuild under Hafley and Sullivan. They won't be judged solely on wins and losses in 2026. Instead, this season will be about identifying long-term building blocks and determining which young players can develop into key contributors.
If the Dolphins have the right players and the right leadership in place, their final record in 2026 won't matter nearly as much. The ultimate goal isn't just to win a playoff game for the first time since 2000. It's to build a team capable of contending for championships year after year. For now, though, the focus is on laying the foundation for that culture of toughness, starting with training camp.
