The Miami Dolphins have found the man who will lead the team for the next several seasons, provided things go as planned.
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NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported on Monday night that the Dolphins will hire Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley to be the next head coach. He will replace Mike McDaniels, who the team fired after four seasons and a 35-33 record.
The insiders have reported that this is a done deal and that the contract is for five years. This theoretically provides Hafley with ample time to get the team back into playoff contention.
We have agreed to terms with Jeff Hafley to become our head coach. pic.twitter.com/boqhQH9jxK
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) January 20, 2026
The 46-year-old Hafley has bounced back and forth between the college and NFL ranks while serving in numerous roles. He coached defensive backs in Tampa Bay (2012-2013), San Francisco (2016-2018), and Cleveland (2014-2015). He also served as head coach of Boston College for four seasons (2020-2023).
He moved to the Packers and took on the role of defensive coordinator ahead of the 2024 season. This kicked off a two-year tenure that led to this job in Miami.
The Packers ranked sixth in points allowed and fifth in yards allowed during Hafley's first season in charge of the defense. These numbers fell to 11th and 12th, respectively, during the 2025 season as injuries hit members of the unit. This includes pass rusher Micah Parsons, who joined the Packers via trade and racked up 12.5 sacks.
Hafley will now move to the Dolphins as he reunites with another former member of the Packers. The Dolphins previously hired Packers VP of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan to be the new general manager.
Hafley will now have the task of fixing a Miami team that finished the season 22nd in yards allowed (348.8 per game), 18th in pass defense (216.4 yards per game), 26th in run defense (132.4 yards per game), and 24th in scoring defense (24.9 points per game).
The defensive coordinator-turned-head coach will also have to work with Sullivan to address the offense and its biggest questions.
The Dolphins have to make a decision about Tua Tagovailoa, who would cost the team $99.2 million in dead cap money if released. The other quarterbacks on the roster are Zach Wilson and seventh-round pick Quinn Ewers.
Wilson fell behind Ewers on the depth charter after the Dolphins benched Tagovailoa. Ewers then failed to show that he is the quarterback of the future while throwing for 622 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions.
Veteran receiver Tyreek Hill also continues to recover from a knee injury, and he has made comments on X indicating he wants out of Miami.
