Miami Dolphins Name Six Season Captains, Highlighting Cultural Shift and Peer-Voted Trust
Miami, FL – The Miami Dolphins have officially announced their six team captains for the upcoming 2025 NFL season, a selection that signals a significant recalibration of leadership within the organization. Leading the charge will be familiar faces quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and defensive tackle Zach Sieler, joined by fullback Alec Ingold, center Aaron Brewer, linebacker Jordyn Brooks, and edge rusher Bradley Chubb. This decision, driven by player votes, reflects a deliberate move by the Dolphins to emphasize dependability, accountability, and consistent effort as core tenets of their team culture.
The 2025 Captaincy Class: A Blend of Experience and Emerging Leaders
The Dolphins’ chosen leadership group for 2025 presents a compelling mix of established veterans and respected teammates who have earned their teammates’ trust through consistent performance and dedication. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, entering his sixth season with the Dolphins, continues his role as a central figure, representing the offensive backbone of the team.
Defensive tackle Zach Sieler, a stalwart on the defensive line, also reprises his captaincy, embodying the grit and relentless effort the team aims to foster. Fullback Alec Ingold, a key contributor in the run game and a respected voice in the locker room, returns as an offensive captain. Together, Tagovailoa, Sieler, and Ingold represent continuity from the previous season’s leadership.
Joining them as first-time captains are center Aaron Brewer, an offensive lineman praised for his toughness; linebacker Jordyn Brooks, who has quickly made his presence felt since joining the team; and edge rusher Bradley Chubb, whose veteran presence and resilience after overcoming injury have been notable. Head Coach Mike McDaniel highlighted the significance of the peer-driven selection process, stating that these six individuals were “resounding vote-getters” and that the team “knew the assignment a little bit more” in identifying those who have earned leadership roles daily.
A Notable Absence: Tyreek Hill Left Off Captaincy List
Perhaps the most striking aspect of the 2025 captain announcement is the conspicuous absence of superstar wide receiver Tyreek Hill. Hill, a five-time All-Pro and a captain in his first three seasons with the Dolphins since 2022, was not included in this year’s leadership group. This decision comes after a tumultuous conclusion to the 2024 season for Hill, which included removing himself from the final game and expressing uncertainty about his future with the team, comments he later retracted with an apology.
Sources indicate that this omission is a direct reflection of the team’s pivot towards prioritizing consistent commitment and accountability. Hill himself had acknowledged earlier in the offseason that he needed to “prove myself” and “show up different” to regain the trust of his teammates, a sentiment echoed by Coach McDaniel. While Hill remains a vital offensive weapon, his exclusion from the captaincy signals that the team is placing greater value on leadership that demonstrates unwavering dedication and team-first mentality, rather than solely on star power.
Cultural Reset: Prioritizing Dependability Over Celebrity
The Dolphins’ decision to pare down the captaincy from eight in 2024 to six in 2025, while also bringing in new faces like Brewer and Brooks, underscores a broader strategic effort to reshape the team’s identity. General Manager Chris Grier noted the team’s intention to “get younger” and integrate players who fit the desired culture. The current leadership group, with an average age in the mid-to-late twenties, aligns with this vision.
This captaincy shake-up serves as a clear message: the Dolphins are intent on building a team culture where consistency, grit, and everyday leadership are paramount. The days of relying solely on high-profile names or explosive individual plays to define leadership appear to be evolving. Instead, the focus is on the collective, on players who embody the team’s core values through their actions on and off the field. This emphasis on dependability and earned respect is a critical component of the current affairs within the Miami Dolphins’ locker room as they prepare for the new season.
Player Perspectives and Team’s Forward Momentum
Linebacker Jordyn Brooks, a new captain himself, shared a perspective that resonates with the team’s philosophy, stating that leadership is an innate quality not merely defined by a patch. Aaron Brewer commented that Hill’s omission wasn’t overly significant, as Hill still contributes energy and leadership. For Bradley Chubb, being named captain is a testament to his hard work and recovery journey after missing much of the previous season due to injury, reinforcing the narrative of earning leadership through resilience.
As the Miami Dolphins prepare to open their 2025 season, the selection of their six captains provides a clear indication of the leadership blueprint. This curated group, led by Tagovailoa and Sieler, is tasked with guiding the team through the upcoming schedule, fostering a cohesive environment, and translating individual effort into collective success. The news of these captaincy choices marks a pivotal moment in the team’s ongoing narrative, setting the tone for their aspirations and the kind of culture they aim to cultivate in Miami.
