The Miami Dolphins dropped another heartbreaker last Sunday, falling to the visiting Cincinnati Bengals 31-24. While they managed to keep it tight for most of the game, the Bengals’ firepower, especially from Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, coupled with Miami’s own inability to play a consistent 60 minutes, ultimately cost them the win. Look, if you were expecting this season to be anything but a rough ride with a ton of mistakes, you weren’t paying attention. This year was always about tearing things down and figuring out who’s a building block for whatever comes next.
Malik Willis Is Crushing Miami’s Season, But They’re Not Giving Up Yet
Let’s just be real for a second: Malik Willis had a brutal outing against the Bengals. The guy coughed up three turnovers, throwing two picks and losing a fumble, effectively blowing any shot Miami had at stealing a win. This dude is their first-year starter, and through five games, it’s been a tough look. He’s only put up 849 passing yards, which is just 169.8 yards per game, with two passing touchdowns to four interceptions. Yeah, he’s added 186 rushing yards and two scores with his legs, but his poor play is a HUGE reason the Dolphins haven’t notched a single win yet this season. Fans are, understandably, screaming to bench him for Kyle McCord.
But here’s the kicker: despite the desperate cries, the team is sticking with him. Why? Because this year isn’t about competing, it’s about evaluating. They need to see what they have in guys like Willis to plan for next offseason’s cap space and draft picks. Five games is a super small sample size, and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan is too smart to give up on a player with Willis’s potential this early, even if his play has been severely lacking.
Ollie Gordon II Is the Real Deal for Miami
Now, let’s talk about someone who absolutely earned his stripes. Second-year running back Ollie Gordon II was the “Fins Up” player of the week, and man, did he deserve it. This dude was a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and barely made a dent his rookie year, with only 199 rushing yards on 70 carries (a measly 2.8 yards per pop) and three touchdowns. Fast forward to 2026, and after an ACL tear sidelined their original starter De’Von Achane, Gordon has stepped up big time. He’s only played in four of five games this season, but he’s already blown past his rookie rushing yardage total and matched his touchdown count from last year.
Against the Bengals, Gordon was a beast. He rumbled for 88 yards on 18 attempts and punched in a rushing score. His power-running style was punishing the Bengals’ defense all game long and was a massive reason Miami even kept the score close. Credit to Jon-Eric Sullivan for not giving up on Gordon after that subpar first year. He’s proving he belongs.
So, where does that leave Miami? This season is a full-on rebuild, a painful stripping down to the screws. They’re going to keep evaluating guys like Willis, knowing full well there will be more mistakes and growing pains. It’s tough to watch, but they’re playing the long game to build something better.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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