The Miami Dolphins may not be getting much attention heading into the 2026 season, but Julian Edelman isn’t ready to write them off.
The three-time Super Bowl champion and New England Patriots legend believes Miami could be much better than expected, even with the Buffalo Bills favored to win the AFC East and New England attracting attention after adding A.J. Brown.
Julian Edelman Picks Dolphins To Surprise in AFC East
On his “Games With Names” podcast, Edelman was asked to identify a potential surprise m in the AFC East. He immediately pointed toward the Dolphins, referencing a conversation with former Patriots defensive back Logan Ryan about new head coach Jeff Hafley.
“I think the Dolphins will be better than what we think, because we had just had Logan on. He was saying (Jeff) Hafley’s a great coach. Malik Willis, I’ve heard him on the podium a couple times. He seems like he’s got the right mindset, hungry mindset. And we’ll see. I think I think the Dolphins will be better than poop. That’s a surprise,” Edelman said.
Edelman still picked the Patriots to win the division, but his Miami prediction caught many by surprise as the Dolphins enter the 2026 season with plenty of questions. They have missed the playoffs in each of the past two seasons and underwent a significant roster overhaul during the offseason, with a new head coach, Hafley, at the top.
The team parted ways with a number of notable veterans to usher in a rebuild. Still, Edelman believes the lack of expectations could actually work in Miami’s favor.
Dolphins Enter a New Era Under Jeff Hafley
Miami’s offseason changes have dramatically altered the look of the team. The Dolphins moved on from several recognizable names, including Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and Tua Tagovailoa.
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They have put their trust in a younger core under Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. That puts even more attention on Willis, who is expected to lead the offense in 2026. Running back De’Von Achane remains one of Miami’s biggest offensive weapons. Achan ranked sixth on PFSN’s RB Impact Rankings & Grade with a score of 83.6.
Center Aaron Brewer and wide receiver Malik Washington are expected to play important roles as the team transitions into a new era. The Dolphins may not have the same star power as in previous seasons, but they could benefit from having lower expectations.
The Bills remain one of the division’s biggest favorites. Meanwhile, the Patriots have generated plenty of optimism following their offseason additions, and they were Edelman’s pick to win the division.
That leaves the Dolphins in an interesting position. Instead of entering the season under constant pressure to make a deep playoff run, the Dolphins can focus on building under Hafley and developing their new-look roster.
Edelman isn’t predicting a division title, but believes the Dolphins could be far more competitive than expected. If Willis and Miami’s young core click under Hafley, his prediction could quickly look less surprising.
