The Miami Dolphins open training camp with more uncertainty than usual, giving the start of the 2026 buildup a tense feel. The mood around the team appears far less optimistic than in many recent summers, with concern among fans becoming part of the storyline as preparations begin.
Miami’s preseason schedule starts August 14, and that early stretch will help shape expectations for the regular season. Training camp and preseason work will be aimed at getting the Dolphins ready for their 2026 opener on the road against the Las Vegas Raiders, making every practice and exhibition important for setting direction.
One notable theme is how unfamiliar this level of dread feels for the franchise after several years of higher hopes. The comparison in the snippet to the period following Adam Gase’s uneven run suggests this is one of the most uneasy camp openings Miami has faced in quite some time.
What to expect, then, is a camp defined less by hype and more by evaluation. The Dolphins will need to use the preseason to answer lingering questions, steady the mood around the team and show signs that they can enter Week 1 in a better place than many observers currently expect.
