Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley has now experienced his first OTAs and minicamp as the leader of a professional football team. Though he served in the same role for Boston College, he is now experiencing everything as a first-time head coach in the NFL.

Following the conclusion of the offseason program, Hafley spoke to the media, revealing his honest thoughts on how spring football has played out for himself and what he has seen from the team.

"I didn't have any expectations. I kind of wanted to come in open-minded. I like the way it went. I appreciate the coaches and how hard they've worked. We've been here since our last game ended ... I appreciate all their hard work. I like the relationships that we have built with our players. I like the guys we have on the team, the veterans that we signed in free agency, the young guys that we drafted. I like the group, I like the buy-in, I like how hard they've worked," Hafley said. 

Hafley spoke candidly, offering huge praise for his new coaching staff and the roster that the Dolphins currently have. He also indicated that this is only the beginning of the offseason, and there is plenty more work to do. 

Hafley has been nothing but honest since he took over, and he also spoke about how the team can't quite learn more until the pads come on and they begin to play "real football."

"I think we'll learn more when we start playing real football. I think we'll learn more as adversity hits. I think you learn a lot about people when things aren't going easy and there's jobs won, and there's jobs lost, and there's games won, and there's game lost. Now is an easy time ... but from the attendance to the effort to the buy-in, I really couldn't ask for anything more from these players and this staff," Hafley said. 

One of the other major questions asked of Hafley is how he evaluates himself regarding his first OTAs and minicamp as head coach of the Dolphins. 

"Once we finish this week, I think it's very important that I kind of take a step back and just reevaluate everything since I've been here. Look very closely at that, the things that I like that I did, the things that I didn't like that I did. I think that will be very important for me to do," Hafley said. 

The Dolphins are a team with many questions, but Hafley also does not want to truly evaluate players until the pads come on during training camp.

"I think we gotta evaluate all these guys when the pads come on. You can see who can process, you can see who can take from the field out to the grass, you can see who can see things and react ... I don't want to slight OTAs, but it's Part 1, but Part 2 is gonna be really important, when we actually play real football," Hafley said. 

There are a lot of questions regarding what the identity of the Dolphins will be, and Hafley has indicated as such even before the offseason program began. Though there will be a bit of a break, training camp will be the time that the real evluations will happen for the players and the health of the roster.

Hafley revealed that the rookies will be kept for one more week, and also stated that linebacker Jordyn Brooks and center Aaron Brewer have remained at practice as leaders of the team.

Darrell Baker Jr. and Storm Duck continue to heal from their injuries and Hafley stated they are coming along, but wishes they would come along a bit quicker. 

Several players apart from Brooks and Brewer are stepping up in leadership roles, including Tyrel Dodson, Malik Willis, Zach Sieler, Dante Trader Jr., and more.

The Dolphins will hold one joint practice against the New York Giants and one against the Washington Commanders, and Hafley is not a fan of having two against a singular team due to potential injuries or fights.