Dolphins Hold Voluntary Offseason Session, Star RB Holds Out

New Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley sets expectations as star running back De'Von Achane skips voluntary workouts

Apr. 7, 2026 at 11:36pm

A fractured, geometric painting in vibrant aqua, orange, and white colors, depicting an abstract Miami Dolphins football scene with overlapping planes and shapes, conveying the team's transition to a new era.A cubist interpretation of the Dolphins' voluntary offseason session captures the team's new direction under coach Hafley and the contract uncertainty surrounding star RB Achane.Miami Gardens Today

The Miami Dolphins returned to the field for their voluntary offseason program, with new head coach Jeff Hafley laying out his expectations for the team. However, the Dolphins' star running back De'Von Achane was notably absent, as he holds out for a possible contract extension.

Why it matters

The Dolphins have struggled to live up to expectations in recent years, and Hafley's arrival represents a chance to reset the team's culture and direction. Achane's holdout could create tension if not resolved, but also highlights the challenges of managing star players and the salary cap in the NFL.

The details

During the first day of the voluntary offseason program, Hafley emphasized the importance of players showing up on time and giving maximum effort every day. He said he's focused on evaluating the team's talent and finding the right players to build around. Meanwhile, Achane, who is eligible for a contract extension, was not present for the voluntary workouts.

  • The Miami Dolphins returned to action for the beginning of their voluntary offseason program on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
  • New head coach Jeff Hafley addressed the team and laid out his expectations for the 2026 season.

The players

Jeff Hafley

The new head coach of the Miami Dolphins, hired to turn the team around after recent struggles.

De'Von Achane

The Dolphins' star running back who is holding out of voluntary offseason workouts as he seeks a contract extension.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Show up on time and give everything you have every single day. I mean, that's kind of how I view everything.”

— Jeff Hafley, Head Coach

“There are some really good pieces, you know, at certain positions we talked about, and there are others that, you know, there's talent, there's young talent, and then there are some vets that are really good players too. The biggest thing for me is going to be seeing them live.”

— Jeff Hafley, Head Coach

What’s next

The Dolphins will continue their voluntary offseason program, with Hafley evaluating the team's talent and looking to build a roster that can compete in the 2026 season. The team and Achane will also need to resolve his contract situation in the coming months.

The takeaway

Hafley's arrival represents a fresh start for the Dolphins, as he looks to instill a new culture and identity for the team. However, Achane's holdout highlights the challenges of managing star players and the salary cap that Hafley and the organization will need to navigate.