MIAMI GARDENS -- Two years ago the Dolphins made a dramatic move at the trade deadline.
They acquired edge rusher Bradley Chubb from Denver in a high-profile move.
Don't look for similar results from the Dolphins by Tuesday's 4 p.m. trade deadline.
The Dolphins (2-5) shouldn't be buyers at the trade deadline even if, by some miracle, they win at Buffalo on Sunday.
Similarly, I don't think the Dolphins should be sellers at the trade deadline if they lose at Buffalo and fall to a season-crushing 2-6 record.
As far as I know, the Dolphins still plan on contending for a Super Bowl in 2025.
That's the idea that guides this thought process.
It's why you don't start a rebuild at the trade deadline.
Make no mistake, this 2024 Dolphins team has 10-win talent.
This team has enough talent to make the playoffs.
And this team should be better next year, if they make some necessary changes.
One thing is certain -- they absolutely, positively can't continue doing the same thing.
Here's how I'm viewing things...
If the Dolphins lose on Sunday at Buffalo, the most they should do is go to veteran left tackle Terron Armstead and veteran defensive tackle Calais Campbell, who could each be in their final season, and ask whether they'd like to be traded to a contender.
I doubt the Dolphins have much else to offer other teams that could get the Dolphins a fair/decent price in return.
Safety Jevon Holland. Running back Jeff Wilson. Offensive tackle Kendall Lamm. Safety Jordan Poyer. Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. Running back Raheem Mostert.
Holland is the most marketable, but only if the team knows it can sign him to a multi-year deal. Otherwise, they're renting Holland, and there's probably a very limited market for teams willing to give up a draft pick for a nine-game rental (plus playoffs).
If the Dolphins are having a fire-sale, in other words scrapping the current plan and making major changes, you put Chubb out there. He'll cost you a little more than $29 million on the salary cap in each of the final three years on his contract.
But considering he still hasn't returned from the knee injury he sustained on New Year's Eve, his value has diminished. You'll get pennies on the dollar.
The smart move is to stand pat.
React to this season rationally, not emotionally.
But the organization must change its philosophy. That's non-negotiable if I'm owner Steve Ross.
The Dolphins will get the same results (no playoff wins) if they continue traveling down this same path.
The Dolphins must change/tweak their way of thinking. And they must change their on-field personnel.
As for strategy/philosophy changes, they need different ways to win in addition to the big-play passing game.
Run game. Defense. Special teams.
They need better situational offense. Short yardage. Red zone. Third down.
They need to fill more roles on the offense. Slot receiver. Power back. Backup quarterback.
Inactivity at the trade deadline, to me, means the Dolphins understand they can win in 2025 with their current talent.
Again, I truly hope they also understand they must change how they approach the game.
If that's not the case, break it up and start over.
On that topic, next year is the final year of this team's Super Bowl window.
The 2025 season marks the fourth year of the Mike McDaniel era and the speed and "win now" game plan.
Due to age and salary, if this blueprint doesn't produce results -- define "results" however you want, but I'm thinking at least two playoff wins over the next two years -- that's it.
But the trade deadline isn't time to give up on this blueprint.
Add more power to your speedy core, add more youth to replenish your departing 30-somethings.