Achane says “winning the division” is the Dolphins’ goal this season

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 30: De'Von Achane #28 of the Miami Dolphins carries the ball against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of the game at Hard Rock Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Miami Dolphins recently signed running back De'Von Achane to a 4-year extension worth up to $68M, locking in arguably the team's best player until 2030. A few days after putting pen to paper, Achane appeared on former Miami Dolphins tackle Terron Armstead's podcast, where he spoke candidly about Miami's aspirations this season.

Specifically, Achane said Everybody keeps saying about this rebuild year. I ain't got time for it...no, I ain't tryna do it. I wanna win the division. We got to win a playoff game."

Now, it should be noted that the Dolphins are currently projected to be one of the worst teams in the NFL in 2026, and also have one of the league's hardest schedules. If newly appointed head coach Jeff Hafley can tighten up Miami's defense, and quarterback Malik Willis develops into the signal caller that the organization hopes he can be, who knows? Stranger things have happened.

Later on in the episode, Achane also said that general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan made it abundantly clear from day one that he wouldn't be traded.

They made it clear [to me], you know, we're not trading him. He's one of the players we're going to build the offense around," said Achane, speaking about his general manager. Sullivan kept his word, of course.

So, to the naked eye, one would assume the Dolphins are tanking. They've stripped the roster of key veteran players and taken a bath in terms of dead cap space, a telltale sign of a team looking two or three years ahead instead of one.

However, based on Achane's comments, the players likely don't buy into that narrative. NFL careers are short, and Achane and Co. aren't going to take a season off in the middle of their careers. Nor will Miami's rookies, who are eager to prove themselves and earn a roster spot.

The full video can be found on the official YouTube page of Armstead's podcast, The Set, linked here.