With training camps underway, the NFL football season is drawing nearer. The Miami Dolphins will kick off their preseason schedule next week. Here’s a look at their three-game slate.
What Is the Dolphins’ Preseason Schedule?
- Sunday, August 10, 1 p.m.: Miami Dolphins at Chicago Bears (CBS Miami, NFL Network)
- Saturday, August 16, 1 p.m.: Miami Dolphins at Detroit Lions (CBS Miami)
- Saturday, August 23, 7 p.m.: Jacksonville Jaguars at Miami Dolphins (CBS Miami, NFL Network)
Taking a Closer Look at the Dolphins’ Preseason Schedule
Mike McDaniel and his Dolphins will have to do some traveling over the first few weeks of their preseason slate. They’ll face a pair of NFC North squads on the road, two visits that are much warmer in August than late in the regular season.
The Bears are under new direction in Ben Johnson, who boosted Detroit’s attack as its offensive coordinator. While it’s almost certain he won’t give away everything he’s installed in the Windy City for former No. 1 overall draft pick Caleb Williams, Johnson and Chicago will pose an early test for the Dolphins’ defense. It will also mark the third time in two decades that the two franchises have crossed paths in the preseason.
Against the Lions, Miami will deal with a Dan Campbell-led crew aiming to atone for its upset loss against the Washington Commanders in last season’s playoffs. The last time the Dolphins saw Detroit in the preseason was in 1999.
To cap off the stretch, the Dolphins will clash with the Jaguars, who were an annual August opponent from 2003-10. They’ve only matched wits three times since then.
The Dolphins will hold joint practices with all three of their preseason foes.
What To Watch for During the Dolphins’ Preseason Schedule
The Dolphins’ secondary is almost entirely new. The team will enter this campaign with a different starter at all five positions in that unit.
Miami brought in cornerbacks Jack Jones, Mike Hilton and Cornell Armstrong during the early going of training camp. It released Kendall Fuller earlier in the offseason and traded Jalen Ramsey to the Pittsburgh Steelers in June. In return for Ramsey, the Dolphins got three-time first-team All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who began his career in South Beach in 2018.
The Dolphins are set to play six teams that had top-10 passing attacks last season. McDaniel and his staff hope their new collection of covermen is up to the test. Their preseason performances will help him gauge if that’s the case.
