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Rodriguez says cleaner football is Dolphins’ next step
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- Rodriguez says cleaner football is Dolphins’ next step
The Dolphins' message coming out of the bye is not built around a dramatic change. Jacob Rodriguez believes improvement starts with doing the existing work more consistently.
As Miami prepares for Sunday's road game against the New York Jets, the inside linebacker has placed the focus on trust, connection and avoiding the negative plays that can make close games harder to finish.
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"I think the message has stayed the same, just trust and belief in each other and connection is part of it," Rodriguez said. "Just continue to play good football."
His comments outline a straightforward goal, but not an automatic result. Cleaner execution does not guarantee a victory. It gives the Dolphins a better chance to let their positive plays matter without repeatedly having to overcome mistakes.
"If we just avoid negative plays, we play clean football, a lot of the stuff that when we're in close games, it'll fall our way," Rodriguez said. "So, we got to do a better job of just playing a good brand of football."
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Clean in Division for Key Wins
That emphasis carries into Miami's first AFC East game of the season. The Dolphins have not opened division play as late as Week 7 since 2013, and their return from the bye begins 12 consecutive weeks of games.
Coach Jeff Hafley has welcomed the team's practice-field response to the break. Rather than the sluggishness he sometimes worries about after extended time off, he saw energy and engagement.
"They were locked in. They had energy. They were flying around. They were having fun together," Hafley said.
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Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik described the same need for shared understanding. "I think it's easy to talk about the quarterback, but there's 10 other guys out there that need to help him," he said.
Quarterback Malik Willis offered a complementary perspective, describing the need to stay grounded through the emotional swings of the season.
"Just try to do your best to stay centered and understand that," Willis said. "Take it one step at a time, one day at a time."
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Special Teams Needs Biggest Clean Up
Special teams coordinator Chris Tabor also kept the emphasis on assignments against a dangerous return game. "I will always recognize the other player. I will always respect those guys," he said, while keeping his preparation focused on Miami's own execution.
Slowik said the offense starts position drills each day with ball-security work, another practical expression of the cleaner football Rodriguez wants. "It's endless conversation. It's endless drills," Slowik said.
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The Dolphins have used the bye to recharge. Their next opportunity is to show that the same message, delivered again, can produce a cleaner performance when the games resume.
This story was originally published by Athlon on Oct 23, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
