NFL Insiders Rank Dolphins' Hiring of Jeff Hafley Among New Head Coaches

Hafley's hiring ranked 5th among 10 new NFL head coaches, according to league insiders

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Miami Dolphins hired Jeff Hafley as their new head coach this offseason, and NFL insiders have ranked his hiring 5th out of the 10 new head coaches hired across the league. Hafley, who previously served as the defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, was praised for his ability to connect with players and his strong working relationship with new Dolphins GM Jon-Eric Sullivan. However, the insiders noted that Hafley and the Dolphins have a long road ahead to rebuild the roster and determine the future of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

Why it matters

The Dolphins have struggled to find stability at the head coaching position for over two decades, and the hiring of Hafley represents a fresh start for the organization. Insiders believe Hafley's prior experience as a college head coach at Boston College will benefit him in Miami, but the team faces significant roster challenges that will require patience from ownership to allow Hafley and Sullivan to implement their vision.

The details

According to the survey of nine NFL coaches and executives conducted by The Athletic, Hafley's hiring was ranked 5th out of the 10 new head coaches hired this offseason. He received one 3rd-place vote, two 4th-place votes, and two 5th-place votes from the panel. The top-ranked hire was John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens, who received six 1st-place votes. Kevin Stefanski of the Atlanta Falcons and Jesse Minter of the Baltimore Ravens rounded out the top 3. The insiders praised Hafley's ability to connect with players and his strong working relationship with new Dolphins GM Jon-Eric Sullivan, but noted that the Dolphins have a long way to go to rebuild the roster, especially at the quarterback position.

  • Hafley was hired as the Dolphins' new head coach in January 2026.

The players

Jeff Hafley

The new head coach of the Miami Dolphins, previously served as the defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers.

Jon-Eric Sullivan

The new general manager of the Miami Dolphins, who worked with Hafley for the past two years and was instrumental in bringing him to Miami.

Tua Tagovailoa

The Dolphins' current starting quarterback, whose future with the team is uncertain as the organization undergoes a rebuild.

Stephen Ross

The owner of the Miami Dolphins, who will need to show patience as Hafley and Sullivan work to turn the team around.

Dan Marino

The legendary former quarterback of the Miami Dolphins, who retired in 2000, marking the start of the team's long struggle to find stability at the head coaching position.

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What they’re saying

“Hafley and Jon-Eric is the cleanest combo coming in together. Hafley being a coach at BC is going to benefit him tremendously with this. I think that's a really cool fit. They have a way to go with the roster.”

— An executive (The Athletic)

“We spoke with a lot of very, very talented coaches who brought a lot to the table, and it was a great process because in speaking with all of them, it just confirmed my conviction on that this was the right guy. I got to watch him work for two years. Jeff (Hafley) is a friend of mine; we've become friendly over the last two years, but understand this hire was based on professional respect. I have watched him day in and day out connect with players. I've watched his ability to teach, I've watched his ability to inspire, and I've watched the intellect and the organization and how people, coaches and players around the building buy into him.”

— Jon-Eric Sullivan, Dolphins General Manager (Dolphins press conference)

What’s next

The judge in Tua Tagovailoa's case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow him to be traded by the Dolphins.

The takeaway

The Dolphins' hiring of Jeff Hafley as their new head coach represents a fresh start for the organization, but the team faces significant roster challenges that will require patience from ownership to allow Hafley and GM Jon-Eric Sullivan to implement their vision. Hafley's prior experience as a college head coach and his strong working relationship with Sullivan were praised by NFL insiders, but the Dolphins' long-term success will depend on their ability to rebuild the roster, particularly at the quarterback position.