Dolphins Still Struggling to Convert on Short-Yardage Opportunities
As Mike McDaniel enters his fourth year as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, one persistent issue continues to plague the team: running the football in short-yardage situations. This has been a consistent problem since McDaniel took the helm, and despite the team’s overall offensive improvements, it appears that the Dolphins still have significant challenges in these critical moments.
Can the Phins finally fix this issue?
Maybe, but they didn’t fix it this week!
Miami invested in the blockers, but same results… for now
In their first preseason game of the 2025 season against the Chicago Bears, Miami’s struggles in short-yardage situations were on full display. In the first quarter, running back Jaylen Wright was stuffed three times on attempts inside the 2-yard line. Later, in the second quarter, Alexander Mattison was stopped on his first try but managed to score on his second attempt. While Mattison’s success on his second try was a positive, the repeated failure to convert in short-yardage situations remains a major concern for Miami. Wright, a much larger back than rookie De’Von Achane, couldn’t push through on three consecutive attempts, while Mattison required two tries to convert.
The Dolphins’ short-yardage woes are further compounded by the injury to Mattison, who had been performing well in training camp and appeared to be the team’s best option in these situations. Adam Schefter reported that Mattison suffered a serious neck injury during the game, underwent immediate surgery, and has been ruled out for the season. This injury leaves the Dolphins with only three running backs on their roster—Achane, Wright, and rookie Ollie Gordon II.
Ollie Gordon to the rescue?!
Gordon, despite being a rookie, may now become Miami’s best short-yardage option. He rushed for 33 yards on eight carries, with a touchdown, and added one reception for 39 yards against the Bears. At 6’2″ and 215 pounds, Gordon is a larger back who could be key in converting those tough, short-yardage plays.
To further address their depth at running back, reports indicate that the Dolphins have reached out to former Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints running back Jamaal Williams for a workout. Williams struggled in 2024 with the Saints, rushing for only 164 yards on 48 carries. However, his career year in 2022 with the Lions, where he rushed for over 1,000 yards and led the league with 17 rushing touchdowns, many of which came in short-yardage situations, could make him a valuable addition.
If the workout goes well, you can bet with the best pay per head that Miami will add the veteran presence to their backfield—a bigger back with a proven track record in short-yardage scenarios. With the ongoing struggles to convert in these situations, Miami cannot afford to continue the trend into the 2025 season. The Dolphins must find a solution to this persistent issue if they want to compete at a high level.
What are your thoughts, Dolphins fans? How can the team solve this ongoing problem, and will Gordon or a new signing like Williams step up to the challenge?