Examining the Changes for the Dolphins Offseason Program

The Miami Dolphins are taking a different approach to their offseason program in 2026 under new head coach Jeff Hafley.

The NFL announced Friday each team's schedule for the offseason program and there are some significant changes for the Dolphins from the way they operated under previous head coach Mike McDaniel.

The Dolphins offseason program will kick off next Tuesday, April 7, two weeks ahead of most NFL teams, because of the presence of a new head coach.

The two biggest changes for the Dolphins are that the team will conduct for the first time in recent memory a voluntary minicamp for their veterans the week of the NFL draft, from Tuesday, April 21 through Thursday, April 23 specifically.

The other big change is the number of OTAs (Organized Team Activities), going from six under McDaniel the past two years to nine, one below the maximum allowed through the Collective Bargaining Agreemet.

Those OTAs will begin a week earlier than last year, this time kicking off on Monday, May 18.

The Dolphins OTAs will take place May 18-19, May 21, May 26-27, May 29, June 8-9 and June 11.

The mandatory minicamp, the one offseason practice that players are contractually obligated to attend barring an excused absence, will take place from June 2-4.

Unlike last year, the minicamp will not signal the end of the offseason program because there will be three OTAs the following week.

All of the offseason program — except for the mandatory minicamp — is voluntary, which means players don’t have to participate. However, all are incentivized to do so with weekly paychecks, and five players have workout bonuses in their contracts that compensate them from $25,000 up to the $50,000, according to Over The Cap.

The NFL draft is April 23-25 and like they've done recently the Dolphins will bring their selections and undrafted signees in for rookie minicamp on the second weekend after the draft, in this case May 8-9.

THE OFFSEASON PROGRAM RULES

Under the NFL's collective bargaining agreement, the offseason workout program is divided into three phases.

Phase one lasts two weeks and is limited to strength and conditioning and physical rehabilitation work.

The second phase includes on-field workouts and takes place over a three-week span. There is no live contact or team offense vs. team defense drills permitted during the phase two practices.

The longest phase is the third one, which allows the team to participate in 7-on-7, 9-on-9 and 11-on-11 drills, though there is still no contact allowed.

Phase three includes the mandatory minicamp. Teams with first-year coaches also can hold a three-day voluntary minicamp for veterans before the draft.

No part of the Dolphins offseason program is open to the public.

Fans will have to wait until training camp arrives in late July to see the new-look Dolphins.

THE DOLPHINS OFFSEASON PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Tuesday, April 7 — Start of offseason program

Tuesday April 21-Thursday, April 23 — Voluntary minicamp

Monday, May 18 — OTA

Tuesday, May 19 — OTA

Thursday, May 21 — OTA

Tuesday, May 26 — OTA

Wednesday, May 27 — OTA

Friday, May 29 — OTA

Tuesday, June 2 — Mandatory minicamp

Wednesday, June 3 — Mandatory minicamp

Thursday, June 4 — Mandatory minicamp

Monday, June 8 — OTA

Tuesday, June 9 — OTA

Thursday, June 11 — OTA