It’s been a whirlwind start to the 2025 NFL season, and for two of the league’s most storied franchises, the Miami Dolphins and the Dallas Cowboys, the storylines are as compelling as ever. As the Dolphins finally notched their first win of the season on October 3, snapping a 1-3 skid, the focus in Miami has shifted from immediate playoff hopes to long-term roster building. Meanwhile, in Dallas, a coaching journey decades in the making has reached its pinnacle, as Brian Schottenheimer, once a bright young coordinator, now leads the Cowboys into a pivotal matchup against his former team, the New York Jets.
Let’s start in Miami, where optimism and uncertainty are colliding. The Dolphins’ victory on Monday night was much needed, but as the dust settles, it’s clear that the franchise sits closer to a roster reset than a Super Bowl run in 2025. With the 2026 NFL draft just six months away, speculation is already swirling about how Miami can reshape its future. Early mock drafts have paired the Dolphins with five intriguing prospects, each offering a potential cornerstone for the next era of Dolphins football.
First on the list is Rueben Bain Jr., a local hero and the top edge rusher in the upcoming class. Bain burst onto the college scene with a staggering 12.5 sacks as a freshman in 2023, combining a powerful 6-foot-3, 275-pound frame with relentless energy. The Dolphins’ pass rush, once considered a strength, has sputtered in 2025, and with rumors that veterans like Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips could be on the way out, Bain’s arrival would be timely. "Miami gets the top edge rusher in the class in Bain, thanks to the quarterback-needy teams in front of them," noted one analyst. His versatility—being able to kick inside for creative defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver—makes him an even more attractive option.
But defense isn’t the only area under the microscope. The quarterback position remains a hot topic, with speculation mounting over Tua Tagovailoa’s future in Miami. If there’s a shakeup at the top, Grant Nussmeier of LSU is a name to watch. Nussmeier, widely regarded as a top quarterback prospect, brings elite arm talent and the ability to fit throws into tight windows. However, his decision-making has raised some eyebrows. "His decision-making is suspect at times, but the NFL loves to project, and I think this is what gets him drafted high," said a scout, who even drew comparisons to Brett Favre. It’s a tantalizing thought for Dolphins fans hungry for a dynamic playmaker under center.
Not to be outdone, Dante Moore of Oregon has emerged as another quarterback candidate for Miami. Moore, the current Heisman Trophy favorite, has seen his draft stock soar thanks to his steady command, quick release, and impressive athleticism. His ability to throw a beautiful deep ball and adapt to different offensive systems makes him a fit for Miami, regardless of who’s calling the shots next season. "Moore would fit nicely into any type of offensive system, Mike McDaniel’s or otherwise," one report observed.
On the defensive side, cornerback remains a concern. The Dolphins parted ways with Jalen Ramsey and Kendall Fuller, opting instead for bargain signings like Jack Jones and Rasul Douglas. The result? A secondary that’s struggled to find its footing. Enter Jermod McCoy of Tennessee, an All-American cornerback who is reportedly close to returning from an ACL tear suffered in January. If he can regain his pre-injury form, McCoy would fill a glaring need and offer immediate impact. "He’ll be a top-10 prospect. He would fill an area of need for the Dolphins, too, no matter who’s coaching them next season," predicted a draft analyst.
Finally, the offensive line is never far from the conversation in Miami. While Patrick Paul has shown promise at left tackle, the chance to add a premium talent like Spencer Fano of Utah is hard to pass up. Fano draws comparisons to Penei Sewell, now a star for the Detroit Lions, and would provide a bedrock presence at a critical position. As one observer put it, "The Dolphins can certainly find good use for a bedrock talent at a premium position like Fano."
As the Dolphins navigate a season of transition, their front office faces tough decisions on both sides of the ball. Will they stick with Tagovailoa or opt for a new signal-caller? Can they fortify a defense that’s lost its bite? And will a new wave of young talent spark Miami’s return to contention? The answers will unfold over the coming months, but one thing’s for certain: the 2026 draft looms large in South Florida.
Meanwhile, up in Dallas, it’s a different kind of transition—one that’s been years in the making. Brian Schottenheimer, son of legendary coach Marty Schottenheimer, has finally ascended to the role of NFL head coach after a quarter-century as an assistant. The Cowboys, sitting at 1-2-1, are preparing to face the winless New York Jets, the very team where Schottenheimer made his mark as a young offensive coordinator nearly two decades ago.
Schottenheimer’s journey has been marked by highs and lows, from calling plays for Brett Favre in 2008 to back-to-back AFC Championship appearances with Mark Sanchez at quarterback. Reflecting on those days, Schottenheimer said, "I learned a lot back then thinking that I had all the answers. Here I was a hotshot, 32-year-old coordinator that after one year is getting head coaching opportunities. This is a very humbling business."
Despite his early promise, the path to head coaching was anything but straightforward. After stints at Georgia, Seattle, and Jacksonville, Schottenheimer joined the Cowboys as a consultant in 2022. He was prepared to leave if not given the chance to call plays, but when Mike McCarthy’s tenure ended, the opportunity finally arrived. Special teams coach Nick Sorensen, who worked with Schottenheimer in Seattle and Jacksonville, remarked, "I always felt like he was a head coach. I thought that way with him in Seattle. I thought that way in Jacksonville. And when he called, I was even more fired up to work with him. You just know. He’s a head coach."
For Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, the transition has been seamless. "It’s truly been no different with him as the head coach. It’s easy to say that when me and him have such great communication. He’s the play-caller. But just watching him throughout practice with other players and positions, a guy that’s true to himself and loves the game and gives it everything he has daily."
Schottenheimer’s return to New York is a personal milestone, one underscored by the memory of his father, Marty, a 200-game winner who last coached in 2006. "You’re literally learning on the job," Brian recalled. "Plenty of lessons later, Schottenheimer is about to be back at the home of the Jets, finally having upgraded from the title of offensive coordinator."
With Micah Parsons having been traded to Green Bay just a month ago, the Cowboys’ roster is also evolving. But Schottenheimer’s steady hand and wealth of experience offer hope for a turnaround. As the Cowboys gear up for a critical clash against the Jets and the Dolphins look ahead to a pivotal draft, both franchises are at crossroads—each searching for the right pieces to ignite their next chapter.
The action continues to unfold, and as both teams navigate their respective challenges, fans can expect no shortage of drama, ambition, and, perhaps, a few surprises along the way.
