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Hafley Backs Willis, Demands Collective Improvement During Dolphins’ Bye Week

Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley used his postgame press conference to reaffirm his confidence in quarterback Malik Willis while emphasizing the need for collective improvement across the team. Despite a 31-24 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals—where Willis completed 15 of 27 passes for 137 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions—Hafley reiterated that Willis remains the starter, citing his dual-threat performance with 74 rushing yards and a touchdown on eight carries.

The Dolphins’ rushing attack, however, provided their strongest offensive showing, averaging 6.4 yards per carry and generating 13 rushing first downs, with Ollie Gordon II leading the way with 88 yards and a touchdown on 18 attempts. Hafley praised Gordon’s emerging leadership but cautioned about goal-line execution, while also highlighting the defensive backfield’s progress, particularly JuJu Brents, who delivered one of his best games in coverage and run support against Bengals receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

The Dolphins enter their bye week with a 0-5 record, and Hafley made it clear that no single position or player can shoulder the blame for the team’s struggles. He pointed to inefficiencies in the passing game, including three turnovers and inconsistent protection, while acknowledging Willis’s late-game flashes of aggression.

The coach stressed that the entire organization—from the offensive line to the coaching staff—must elevate their performance to turn the season around. Hafley’s message was direct: ‘We all need to be better,’ signaling a team-wide focus on precision and execution during the break.

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