“Is This Everyone?” – Dolphins’ Jeff Hafley Baffled By Lack of Reporters at Press Conference

Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley was surprised to see few turnouts during Monday's presser.

“Is This Everyone?” – Dolphins’ Jeff Hafley Baffled By Lack of Reporters at Press Conference

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jeff Hafley inside the circle (Image via Sports Ilustrated/X)

Jeff Hafley looked puzzled after walking onto the podium in the Miami Dolphins media room during Monday’s briefing session. Usually, reporters from local and national media outlets fill the room for Q&A. However, only a handful of reporters showed up for Monday’s session.

Hafley took quick glance at the empty seats and asked: “Is that everyone that’s coming?” Someone off camera replied, “It’s [Miami] Heat’s media day.” Hafley calmly retorted, “At the same time!” and continued the presser.

The NBA season starts on October 4th. The Miami Heat are buzzing after a long time. In July, the Heat traded for 2x MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks. Giannis faced the media during the Heat’s presser on Monday.

Miami is home to several big-name franchises in various sports. The Miami Dolphins are among them. However, the current Dolphins haven’t generated enough page-three material for media outlets to make them a top priority.

To put it bluntly, the Dolphins haven’t qualified for the playoffs since 2023, and they underwent a massive offseason overhaul. Jeff Hafley took charge as head coach and got rid of 90% of the players from the previous regime to start from scratch.

Hafley brought in quarterback Malik Willis from his former team, the Green Bay Packers, and also traded for Kyle McCord after he put up great numbers in the preseason. Wide receivers Chris Bell, Kevin Coleman Jr., and Caleb Douglas were drafted. Malik Washington and Jalen Tolbert are the veterans in the locker room, along with running backs De’Von Achane and Ollie Gordon. The Dolphins are the youngest team in the NFL, with an average age of just 25.

In comparison, Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Klay Thompson are much bigger and more established names. They are bound to attract more media attention.

If Hafley had led the Dolphins to a winning start, perhaps the media would have had something to talk about. Given that they haven’t won their last four games (stretching back to last season), there isn’t enough to get excited about.

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Jeff Hafley should have seen several positives in the Dolphins’ Week Three defeat

The Dolphins hosted the Kansas City Chiefs, who had won both of their first two games and started as the favorites at kickoff. The Chiefs offense averaged 31 points while the Dolphins defense let in 62 points through the first two games. So, it was shaping up to be a lopsided, high-scoring game.

Is This Everyone - Dolphins' Jeff Hafley Baffled By Lack of Reporters at Press Conference
#2 Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis attempts a pass against the San Francisco 49ers (Image via Sports Illustrated)

The Chiefs looked good early. Eric Bieniemy’s offense played efficient football. The Dolphins also kept pace with them. But after halftime, the Dolphins defense tightened things up at the back. The Hafley imprint finally showed up, which made the Packers a tough team to beat when he was there.

Rookie linebacker Jacob Rodriguez capped off a brilliant game. The former Texas Tech star finished with six tackles, three tackles for loss, and an interception. According to NFL data, Rodriguez became the first NFL rookie since Lavonte David in 2012 to accomplish that combination in a game.

Rodriguez’s interception was the highlight of the Dolphins’ afternoon. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes completed 11 passes before his attempted pass to WR Rashee Rice looped up in the air, and Rodriguez made a diving play to secure the turnover.

Rookie cornerback Chris Johnson and defensive tackle Jordan Phillips flashed throughout the second half.

Malik Willis completed his third game in a Dolphins jersey with 20 completions for 210 yards, 1 interception, and 9 carries for 59 yards. Ollie Gordon scored the Dolphins’ only touchdown.

The Dolphins are a long-term project. It will take time for them to start winning games consistently. Up next, they face the Minnesota Vikings.

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