Miami Dolphins · Franchise era 5 of 6
Life after Marino: the Miami Dolphins story
The story in one sentence
Elite defenders and brief offensive revivals produced occasional playoff teams without a lasting answer at quarterback.
Defense and the Wildcat fill a quarterback vacuum
Jason Taylor, Zach Thomas and Ricky Williams gave the era its recognizable core.
Its ending created the conditions for the speed rebuild.
Timeline
How it unfolded
Before 2000
What came before
Marino shattered records immediately and kept Miami relevant for seventeen seasons, though his lone Super Bowl came in year two.
2000-12-30
Wild Card: Indianapolis Colts vs Miami Dolphins
2001-01-06
Divisional Round: Miami Dolphins vs Oakland Raiders
2002-01-13
Wild Card: Baltimore Ravens vs Miami Dolphins
- 23TradeMarch 5, 2007
March 5, 2007
The trade that made Wes Welker Tom Brady's volume target
The Patriots were rebuilding one of the league's weakest receiver groups; Miami chose draft value rather than match a long-term offer.
To NE
To MIA20072NDround asset2007PICKround assetWes Welker to New EnglandNE receives Wes WelkerMIA receives 2007 2nd-round pick, 2007 seventh-round pick3 original assets · 1 outcomes tracedOpen trade → - 26TradeMarch 13, 2012
March 13, 2012
The trade that reunited Brandon Marshall and Jay Cutler
The Bears needed a true No. 1 receiver and trusted Marshall's prior chemistry with Jay Cutler from Denver.
To CHITo MIA20123RDround asset20133RDround assetBrandon Marshall to ChicagoCHI receives Brandon MarshallMIA receives 2012 3rd-round pick, 2013 3rd-round pick3 original assets · 1 outcomes tracedOpen trade → After 2015
What came next
Miami accumulated draft capital, built the league's fastest skill group and returned to the playoffs behind Mike McDaniel's motion-heavy offense.
The core