Back when Dan Marino was slinging passes in the ’80s, Dolphins fans lived and breathed hope—even if the Super Bowl never came. Every spiral out of Marino’s hand felt like a promise that one day, Miami would rule the NFL again. Fast-forward to 2025, and that dream has a new (and very unexpected) face. As the Dolphins try to shake off the pain of a failed 2024 campaign, head coach Mike McDaniel is steering the ship into uncharted waters—parting ways with old guard Jalen Ramsey while quietly bringing in a rookie quarterback some are already calling “Dan Marino 2.0.” In Miami, legends aren’t just remembered. They’re expected to be reborn.

The Dolphins’ head coach, Mike McDaniel, knew one thing after the 2024 season: a course correction was required if he wanted their ship to make it all the way . After becoming the head coach in 2022, the Dolphins have not reached the AFC Championship game even once. But last year was even worse—they failed to qualify for the playoffs. Many believed the focus would be on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. However, McDaniel chose another department to bear the brunt of elimination: the defense.

The Dolphins had earlier expressed their desire to trade cornerback Jalen Ramsey. The Super Bowl winner played two seasons for the team, starting all 27 games, recording five interceptions, 16 defended passes, and 82 tackles (57 solo). Overall, the 30-year-old brought in the experience of nine NFL seasons. However, McDaniel has already moved to arrange reinforcements for the veteran CB by drafting two new cornerbacks. First, they selected Florida CB Jason Marshall Jr., then later signed Minnesota CB Ethan Robinson as an undrafted free agent.

The 6-foot, 194-pound Florida athlete played 45 games in four years, finishing with two interceptions, 25 defended passes, one sack, and 98 tackles (68 solo). Meanwhile, the 6-foot, 190-pound Robinson recorded eight interceptions, 23 defended passes, three forced fumbles, one sack, and 134 tackles (108 solo) during his collegiate career. Together, both defensive players bring a promising mix of ball skills and strength to Miami’s secondary.

Still, McDaniel needs to complete the next step: parting ways with the veteran. His former team, the LA Rams, is interested in signing him back. NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported: “The Dolphins have had some phone calls. His old team, the Los Angeles Rams, from my understanding, are at least one of the teams interested. That reunion would be pretty fascinating, one of Sean McVay’s favorite players he’s had.”

While the league awaits the next move in the Ramsey saga, the Dolphins are gearing up for a new era, with a potential franchise quarterback waiting in the wings should their main signal-caller be unavailable.

Mike McDaniel signs Dan Marino 2.0

Offensive Player of the Year and NFL MVP in 1984, Comeback Player of the Year in 1994, and Man of the Year in 1998—these are just a few of the accolades that define Dolphins legend Dan Marino. Marino made a name for himself not only in Miami but across football history.

Now, Dez Bryant isn’t hesitating to make bold comparisons. After the Dolphins used their seventh-round pick (231st overall) on Texas QB Quinn Ewers, Bryant tweeted: “I like Quinn Ewers over Tua already. He’s Dan Marino 2.0 and yes… I said it.” That spells potential danger for Tua Tagovailoa’s long-term status.

NFL analyst Dustin Tran also made a bold prediction, stating that Ewers is better than Tua and Zach Wilson and will become a franchise quarterback in the NFL within five years.
That’s a big claim for a rookie! The Dolphins legend Marino won almost every major award—except a Super Bowl. If Quinn Ewers can live up to even half the hype, he’ll be aiming to do what Marino never could: hoist the Lombardi Trophy.

The franchise hasn’t won it all since 1973—a drought now stretching over 50 years. Will that long wait finally end? The reality of all that grit only emerges when the pressure mounts—and in Miami, the pressure is always simmering just beneath the surface.