The Miami Dolphins’ 2024 season was a mixed bag, finishing 8-9 and missing the playoffs, with plenty of buzz on X and from former players like DeShon Elliott about the team lacking mental toughness. When the weather turned ugly—rain, cold, or wind—Miami often struggled to keep up. Head coach Mike McDaniel is out to change that narrative, putting his squad through rain-soaked practices during OTAs and minicamps to instill some grit. With a stacked 2025 schedule ahead, could this wet-weather training turn the Dolphins into a team that thrives in the muck? Let’s break it down with the facts and see why this approach might just pay off.
In 2024, the Dolphins showed they could dazzle in ideal conditions. Tua Tagovailoa, despite missing six games due to a concussion, threw for 2,867 yards in 11 starts, completing 72.9% of his passes with 19 touchdowns and 7 interceptions for a 101.4 passer rating. At Hard Rock Stadium, the offense clicked, averaging 20.3 points per game, with Tyreek Hill (1,389 yards) and Jaylen Waddle (723 yards) feasting on defenses. But in adverse weather, things got messy. Miami played four games in rain or sub-40-degree conditions, going 1-3 with a -38 point differential. In those games, Tua’s completion percentage dropped to 62%, and the team’s run game, led by De’Von Achane’s 4.2 yards per carry overall, fell to 3.4 in wet conditions. Fumbles were a problem, with six in those four games compared to five across the other 13. The 26-7 playoff loss to Kansas City in freezing conditions was a glaring example—Miami’s offense managed just 188 total yards.
McDaniel’s answer is to lean into the discomfort. He’s got the Dolphins practicing in South Florida’s rainy season, running drills on slick fields to master ball security and footing. The goal isn’t just technical—it’s about building a mindset that stays sharp when conditions turn sloppy. There’s history to back this up. The Pittsburgh Steelers, known for their physicality, often train in tough weather, and it showed in their 4-2 record in rainy or snowy games from 2020-2023. McDaniel’s approach echoes that, aiming to prepare his team for late-season road trips to places like Buffalo or Cleveland, where weather can be a factor.
The players seem to be buying in. Rookie tackle Patrick Paul, who McDaniel singled out for his progress in 2024, is grinding through these wet reps. Veterans like Jonnu Smith, a physical presence with 423 receiving yards last year, are setting the tone. Posts on X and the Dolphins’ subreddit note a hungrier vibe in camp, with players like Tua vocal about wanting to shake off last season’s criticism. If these practices can tighten up ball security—Miami’s six fumbles in wet games were a killer—and boost confidence in tough spots, it could flip close losses into wins.
Some fans on X are skeptical, calling it a gimmick and questioning if McDaniel can fix deeper issues like the offensive line’s inconsistency. The 2025 schedule, with road games against the likes of the Eagles and Jets, won’t make it easy. But teams that embrace adversity tend to handle it better. The Chiefs, for example, went 4-1 in rainy games in 2024, thanks to Andy Reid’s focus on situational prep. If McDaniel’s rain-soaked practices can cut down on turnovers and keep the offense humming, the Dolphins might finally shed that “soft” label and make some noise in 2025.
