MIAMI GARDENS ― Miami Dolphins rookie linebacker Jacob Rodriguez wants to hear the roar of the home crowd in a home-opening game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
But he feels it must be earned. Talk about maturity from a guy who's played two NFL games.
"We have to play a lot better," Rodriguez was saying in the Dolphins
' locker room this week. "We have to give them something to cheer for. That’s on us.”Some criticized coach Jeff Hafley for recently asking the fans to bring it at Hard Rock Stadium.
"Get out and support the team. Make it loud," Hafley said.
In truth, Hafley was just backing his young roster. He knows expectations are low. He knows fans are frustrated by yet another rebuild season. He knows there will be many Chiefs fans in the stands.
Hafley is hoping that after two weeks on the road, Miami will gain some semblance of a home field advantage when things kick off against The Swifties on Sunday, Sept. 27, at 1 p.m.
Hafley noted, correctly, that his team must give everything it has. And he believes they will.
Effort has not been, and seems unlikely to become, the problem in 2026.
The Dolphins have one of the youngest rosters in modern NFL history.
Consider how Hafley described one of many challenges now faced by quarterback Malik Willis:
"Just imagine yourself in the huddle with three rookie receivers, a rookie tight end and a rookie fullback," Hafley said. "And you're starting for the first time, and you got three, four, five, six and (guard Kadyn) Proctor. He's got a lot on his plate. I think he's handled that really well."
Inexperience is a reason, not an excuse, for much of what we're seeing on the field on Sundays.
Miami Dolphins setting NFL rookie usage records
What will not be excused is if most of the 13 members of Miami's rookie draft class (plus tight end Justin Joly and undrafted fullback DJ Herman) do not pan out.
So far, pretty good.
Caleb Douglas (ankle) and Chris Bell (knee) are banged up. But they provide hope at the position.
Proctor has been solid. Cornerback Chris Johnson has been targeted early, but has the talent required to grow into a good starting NFL cornerback.
Tight end Will Kacmarek blocks, as advertised, and safety Michael Taaffe is as smart and savvy as advertised.
"We got the right guys," veteran Zach Sieler said of the youngsters, adding, "We're young and it's not an excuse. Guys want to learn, they want to grow as much as they can, do any extra meetings and have that energy out there. It's exciting."
Did someone say extra meetings? Insert wink here.
Sieler is one of six veteran captains. Hafley credited how they're handling this difficult situation. And he also put out the Bat Signal: He's looking for Future Leaders of Miami Gardens in his rookie class.
"I need to find the young players that I see leadership in and I need to cultivate them to become leaders now," Hafley said.
Miami Dolphins roster features mature rookies
This rookie class has an uncommon maturity. Players speak candidly about mistakes they have made, for example, when a coverage has busted or a block has been misaligned. And they are able to clearly articulate what should happen and why it did or did not.
Maybe there will be fewer penalties and missed assignments in Week 3. The Dolphins are certainly hoping for far fewer penalties and missed assignments by mid-season.
The word "culture" is certainly overused in sport and largely, cliche.
But the Dolphins needed a culture reset, cliche or not, and the 22-to-24 year olds identified by general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan seem to have some common traits that should prove helpful in the rebuild.
The youngsters seem committed, studious, and yes, mature.
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and Threads and X at @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins' young roster faces Chiefs offering no excuses | Schad
