De’Von Achane says he doesn’t want to hear the Dolphins are “rebuilding for two years” after a coaching change, veteran departures, the Jaylen Waddle trade, and the release of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa following the 2025 season.
De’Von Achane is entering his fourth Dolphins season with a clear message: he’s not buying into the timeline that’s being sold to fans.
Achane signed a four-year contract extension with Miami this month. but the running back still sounds most focused on the short path—winning now. The Dolphins have made a coaching change. parted ways with several veterans. traded wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. and taken a major cap hit by releasing quarterback Tua Tagovailoa since the end of the 2025 season. Those moves have fueled gloomy expectations for the team this fall, but Achane insists he sees things differently.
On The Set podcast with former teammate Terron Armstead, Achane pushed back directly on the idea of a multi-year reset. “I’m not trying to hear ‘we rebuilding for two years,’” Achane said. “I ain’t trying to do it. Most definitely, I want to win the division, we gotta win the playoff game. I ain’t even going to say we’re going be trying to win the championship. but we just got to get those things first.”.
The contract extension and the Dolphins’ roster turnover have effectively pushed Achane into a veteran leadership role heading into his fourth season. He’s also aiming for more than just keeping things together while new pieces settle in. Once the season begins. Achane wants to help lead Miami to a better-than-expected record—one that puts distance between the offseason narrative and what actually happens on Sundays.
De'Von Achane Miami Dolphins Terron Armstead NFL contract extension coaching change Jaylen Waddle trade Tua Tagovailoa release rebuilding for two years
He’s right like nobody wants to hear “rebuild” forever. Just win games lol.
Wait so they traded Waddle and then released Tua and NOW they say they’re not rebuilding? That doesn’t really add up. Sounds like rebuild but with different wording.
If they’re not rebuilding for two years then why did they get rid of Tua? I feel like that move basically IS a rebuild. Also Jaylen Waddle trade… who even knows what they’re doing.
Achane talking tough but we’ll see when the o line collapses again. I swear every Dolphins offseason is the same story, “not rebuilding” “we want to win now” and then it’s mid season excuses. Four-year extension means they expect him to carry the whole thing, right? Hope he’s not just saying what fans wanna hear.