MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross agreed to a rare football-centric interview Saturday night, appearing on the local broadcast of his team’s preseason game against the Washington Commanders.
The biggest takeaway? Ross believes the 2024 Dolphins have a Super Bowl-contending roster. They just need better luck than they’ve had the last two seasons, both of which were derailed by injury.
Miami Dolphins’ Stephen Ross Speaks
“Right now, we have a great roster, and I think everybody has great expectations,” said Ross, who has owned the team since 2009 but has yet to win a playoff game.
“But hey, it’s the old injury bug. You’ve got to make sure that that doesn’t happen like last year. I think without that and we stay healthy, I think we’re certainly a contender for the Super Bowl.”
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The Dolphins, as of Saturday night, were 22-1 to win the Super Bowl, giving them the league’s 12th-shortest odds to win it all.
Ross also addressed the big-dollar contracts handed out this offseason to Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle.
“Well, I want to win this year, and I want to win next year, as well,” Ross said. “But you’ve got to start early, and I think having those players and signing them to long-term contracts and knowing the nucleus of the team, I think that’s important. They are stars — Tyreek was just voted the No. 1 player in the league.
“With Waddle and Tua and some of the important young guys, retaining them – that’s what you want to do. You want to retain as many of your draft choices that really pan out. That’s a challenge, though, in these times.”
As for his thoughts on Mike McDaniel?
“We took a chance, but I was impressed by him. I mean, his intelligence, and as a person, he’s unique, certainly, and he’s doing a great job. Everybody loves him.”