Most of Bills Mafia’s external attention on the rest of the AFC East has been centered on the New England Patriots, naturally, as the division rival participated in Super Bowl LX. However, the Miami Dolphins’ offseason decisions continue to give the Buffalo Bills more reason to expect the division’s landscape to largely stay the same next season.
The Dolphins hired new head coach Jeff Hafley, the former defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers. Hafley was one of the top candidates across the league, and he’s sure to have a positive impact on the Dolphins’ defense right away. His offense might not be so fortunate.
Miami appears to be at a crossroads with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who is expected to play elsewhere in 2026. Nonetheless, the South Beach franchise just made a decision that is going to make life difficult for whoever steps in at quarterback in 2026.
Miami Dolphins' coaching gamble could keep AFC East pecking order intact for Buffalo Bills
On Wednesday, the Dolphins announced former Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo as their new passing game coordinator. Patullo will work under new offensive coordinator Bobby Slowick, who famously helped Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud explode in his rookie season, only to be fired by the end of his sophomore campaign, as the quarterback regressed dramatically, which carried over into 2025.
While Slowick isn’t a particularly confident hire to begin with, Patullo was at the center of the Eagles’ destructive fall from grace in 2025. The offense took major steps back in practically every meaningful metric, effectively forcing A.J. Brown into the sideline tirades that have put him on the trading block, where Buffalo could strike a deal to solve their own problems.
Of course, the Dolphins have a ton of offensive problems to deal with, even beyond the quarterback position. Superstar WR Tyreek Hill isn’t expected back next season, Jaylen Waddle was at the center of heavy trade rumors at the deadline, and the offensive line isn’t much to write home about either, aside from center Aaron Brewer. Beyond running back De’Von Achane, Slowick and Patullo don’t have much at their disposal, especially compared to their most recent jobs, where they failed despite the talent.
It’s not as though Bills Mafia was concerned that the Dolphins would make some monumental leap in 2026 in Hafley’s first season, but his decisions on the offensive side of the ball certainly don’t change the low expectations Bills fans have for their southern-most rival.