For Miami Dolphins fans, frustration has been the norm for more than two decades. The franchise, once an NFL powerhouse, hasn’t won a playoff game since 2000. With nearly a dozen different head coaches (including interim head coaches) and more than two dozen starting quarterbacks since that last victory, Miami holds the longest active playoff win drought in the NFL at 24 years.
Legendary coach Jimmy Johnson, who led both the Dolphins and Miami Hurricanes, recently addressed the team’s struggles. In an exclusive interview with PFSN, he urged fans to remain patient while praising Miami’s current leadership.
Jimmy Johnson’s Advice for Dolphins Fans
When asked about Miami’s inability to win playoff games, Johnson told PFSN that the key is stability and health, and he believes head coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier are leading the team in the right direction.
“Well, they’ve got to be patient. I think Mike’s an outstanding football coach. I think they’ve got some talented players. I like Tua [Tagovailoa] as a quarterback, and they’ve got to keep their players healthy. If they keep them healthy, they’re going to have a shot. It takes time. They’ve got to just draft some players. Chris Grier’s going to do an outstanding job as general manager and bring in some more talent. That’ll help them win a playoff game.”
When asked where the Dolphins should focus their roster upgrades, Johnson didn’t single out one position.
“Where is that talent needed? Well, I think with any football team, you rebuild every year, and so I don’t know that you can ever say you need one spot or another, because you’re going to lose some players, and so you have to replace those players.”
His message was clear — building a winner takes time. While Dolphins fans are understandably frustrated, Johnson sees Miami as a team that’s on the verge of breaking through.
Miami’s 24-Year Playoff Drought
The Dolphins’ history includes some of the greatest teams in NFL history, but their recent postseason record is brutal. Miami’s last playoff victory came on Dec. 30, 2000, when they defeated the Indianapolis Colts 23-17 in overtime. Since then, Miami has cycled through seven different head coaches (not counting interims) and more than two dozen starting quarterbacks, yet they still haven’t won another playoff game.
With the Detroit Lions ending their 31-year playoff win drought in 2023, Miami’s 24-year skid is now the longest active playoff drought in the NFL heading into the 2025 season, followed by the Las Vegas Raiders who haven’t won a playoff game in 22 years.
Miami has made the playoffs only four times in the last 23 years, and their most recent appearance came last season, when they were blown out by the eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs 26-7 in the Wild Card Round.
Johnson’s Miami Legacy
Before Johnson took over the Dolphins in 1996, he was already a South Florida legend. He built the University of Miami into a powerhouse, leading the Hurricanes to a national championship in 1987 and cementing Miami’s reputation as one of the most dominant college football programs of all time.
He later won back-to-back Super Bowls in 1992 and 1993 with the Dallas Cowboys before returning to Miami to coach the Dolphins. Though he never won a Super Bowl in Miami, he remains one of only three coaches to win a playoff game for the franchise.
Can the Dolphins Finally End the Drought?
Despite recent struggles, the Dolphins’ history remains legendary. Miami remains the only team to ever complete a perfect season, going 17-0 in 1972, and winning Super Bowls 7 and 8 under legendary head coach Don Shula.
Now, with Tagovailoa leading the offense and a roster featuring stars like Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and Jalen Ramsey, Miami is in a position to compete in the AFC. But as Johnson emphasized, health and roster depth will be key.
Miami fans have waited long enough for a playoff win. The frustration is understandable. But if Johnson’s words hold any weight, the Dolphins may not be far from finally breaking through.
