Week one of the 2025 NFL season was a complete disaster for the Miami Dolphins, and former NFL tight end Rob Gronkowski did not waste any time calling it like he saw it. The 33-8 blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts was a brutal wake-up call for a team that entered the campaign with serious playoff expectations. The four-time Super Bowl champion’s blunt assessment on “The Up & Adams Show” was not just harsh, it was a direct challenge to the team’s identity.
Why Did Rob Gronkowski Call the Dolphins ‘Terrible’?
Shortly after Miami’s embarrassing performance, Gronkowski did not hold back. “The Miami Dolphins, they’re terrible,” Gronkowski said. “And it’s been coming out of that camp for a long time, about a year in the making. I have not heard a good thing come out from Miami, about the Miami Dolphins, in a bout over a year… The turmoil has just been real, and it showed big time in Week 1.”
“The Miami Dolphins, they’re terrible.”
Gronk didn’t mince words about the Dolphins👀@heykayadams | @RobGronkowski | #PhinsUp pic.twitter.com/Ud0w5Bt8FB
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) September 10, 2025
His comments came just days after the Colts completely dismantled Miami in a game that exposed serious flaws on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa turned the ball over three times, the offensive line could not protect him, and the defense allowed Daniel Jones to look like a Pro Bowler in his Indianapolis debut.
The Dolphins did not score until garbage time, and even then, the energy on the sideline was flat. Tyreek Hill was caught on camera looking visibly frustrated, and head coach Mike McDaniel looked shell-shocked as the game spiraled out of control.
Is Miami’s Culture a Bigger Problem Than Its Play?
Gronkowski’s criticism went beyond just one bad game, pointing directly at the team’s culture. His comments suggest that Miami’s issues run deeper than simple execution. For months, rumors have swirled about locker room tension, inconsistent messaging from the coaching staff, and a lack of accountability. That situation was amplified when Hill was not named a team captain this season, and Tua’s contract talks remain unresolved. Now, McDaniel, entering his fourth year, is suddenly under pressure.
Gronkowski’s words carry significant weight as a player who knows what a championship culture looks like. He is not seeing the signs of a winning environment in Miami. Following the loss, McDaniel tried to keep things light, telling reporters, “I would say the good news, and the positive is… I don’t see how it could be worse.” But that kind of optimism only goes so far.
The Dolphins face the New England Patriots in Week Two, and another loss could send their season spiraling before it starts. McDaniel’s offensive scheme has been praised for its creativity, but the lack of physicality and discipline becomes glaring when it fails. If Miami does not respond quickly, the locker room could fracture, making Gronkowski’s words seem more like a prophecy.
While the comments may sting, they reflect a growing sentiment around the league. The Dolphins have talent but appear to lack an identity and toughness. The excuses are gone, and the spotlight is on. The only question now is whether they can prove Gronk wrong.
