The Miami Dolphins are still hoping that several teams in front of them will collapse and open the door for them to walk through. The playoffs are what teams are fighting for right now, but behind the scenes, someone needs to be mapping out the plan for 2026.
For now, that job falls on Champ Kelly. The interim GM may not make it to the next season, but he still needs to prepare as if he will.
The Dolphins need to get players who will be free agents under contract once the season ends. Whether those deals are done before the start of free agency or immediately in the weeks after 2025 ends doesn't matter.