Here is what coach Jeff Hafley had to say after Dolphins' first win

MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphinsenter the week for the first time in 2026 coming off a win.

After the 28-25 victory at the New York Jets,the Dolphins now seek their first win at home in 2026 and get that chance Sunday when they host the New England Patriots.

Coach Jeff Hafley kicked off the week meeting with the media to talk about the first victory of the season for the Dolphins (1-5) and the first victory of his NFL head-coaching career.

And he was very honest about what getting that first win meant to the team.

"You could feel the energy and excitement," Hafley said about Monday's mood. "There's a lot of young guys, a lot of these guys haven't won an NFL game. I didn't have to give a Victory Monday because a lot of our players don't know what

a Victory Monday is, they're too young.

"You could sense the energy in the building."

Here is more of what Hafley said about the Dolphins' first win of the season. One thing missing: an injury report. For the first time all season, Hafley had no injury updates on a Monday:

Hafley did not expect a 'waterfall' in locker room

Hafley received several congratulatory texts and calls but said nothing meant more to him than when the New Jersey native walked out of the locker room and was greeted by his mother, sister and brother …

Well, almost nothing.

"That was more meaningful than any text … other than my wife," he said. "She'd kill me if I didn't say that."

Hafley said he did not "expect to have a waterfall on me" when he walked into the locker room. He was doused by the players. But what was most meaningful to him when it came to the players … "Just as I was excited for the players, I felt like the players were as excited for the coaches and myself," he said. "I think that says a lot about the team we have. That meant a lot to me."

Hafley relied on offensive line to gauge team on final fourth-down call

The Dolphins were on the Jets 49-yard line, leading by three points and facing fourth-and-one at the 2-minute warning.

So Hafley called over the offensive line, said he looked them in the eye and told them, "we get the first down, we're kneeling and we're winning this game. I can either punt the ball and we play defense or we're going to go for it. I said, 'which do you guys want to do?'"

When they all agreed to go for it, Hafley told them: "OK we better get it."

After quarterback Malik Willis charged ahead for 2 yards, the Dolphins got their first taste of a victory formation of the season.

Lessons to learn in the win over Jets

Hafley was disappointed the team could not put away the Jets after opening up a 14-point halftime lead.

"We had a chance at 21-7 to go up multiple scores, this is where we have to learn," Hafley said. He said the offense and defense both had chances to help stretch that lead.

"If you can ever get up by those three possessions, it changes a lot," he said.

Hafley has long list of things QB Malik Willis did right

Hafley had a long list of things that impressed him about Willis' performance in the win.

"Decision making, I thought he got the ball out really quick, I thought he played with confidence and then when the plays weren't there the ability to make the plays with his feet, not take a sack," he said. "Just Leading the offense in those key moments."

But he saved the best for last.

"The biggest thing, protecting the football."

Willis entered the game with four interceptions and five fumbles in the first five games. The Dolphins did not commit a turnover.

Defensive stand 'inspiring'

Hafley called the defensive stand that ended with Chop Robinson's 12-yard sack on third down after the Jets had a first-and-goal inside the 1 "inspiring."

Miami got key tackles from Zach Sieler on first down and Josh Uche on second down, both for losses of 1-yard before Robinson's sack that pushed the Jets back to the 15. Instead of a touchdown that would have tied the game with the extra point, the Jets settled for a field goal and were still chasing.

"That drive meant a lot," Hafley said. "That's a big deal … that needs to be our identity."

The lesson the defense needs to take from that: "You need to defend every blade of grass. That's why you strain, you just keep playing until it's either a touchdown, a field goal or you just get off the field."

Tom D'Angelo is a senior sports columnist and reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at [e-mail].

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Here is what coach Jeff Hafley had to say after Dolphins' first win