Mike McDaniel adopted somewhat of a less is more approach to the offseason program last year, quality over quantity if you prefer, and he clearly liked what it produced because he's doing it again in 2024.

For the second consecutive year, the Dolphins are not planning on using their maximum allotment of 10 Organized Team Activities (OTA) days this offseason. Instead, the Dolphins will have only six OTAs along with the mandatory June minicamp, which will close out the offseason program June 6.

Toward the end of the 2023 offseason program, McDaniel explained his philosophy toward not using every OTA opportunity he was afforded.

“A lot of things factor into it," he said. "I think that by and large, players, coaches, people in general, do best when ‘why’ is explained to them. In this particular situation, I think that it is crucial that we have, as convicted, present, deliberate, football players when they’re approaching practice and really recognizing how each opportunity is very crucial to the development of the team. I think when you’re able to acknowledge players’ hard work, and they get positively reinforced with actual action, I think it goes a long way. They are afforded the less practices because they’ve earned it because of the way they’ve approached the whole offseason. My standards for preparation are pretty high and they have recognized that and really heeded to the expectation across the board. I think in those types of circumstances, everyone benefits with a little bone here or there.”

THE THREE PHASES OF THE OFFSEASON PROGRAM
Because they do not have a new head coach, the Dolphins will begin their offseason program April 15, with the first of the three phases.

As a reminder: Phase 1 consists of the first two weeks of the program with activities limited to meetings, strength and conditioning, and physical rehabilitation only.

Phase 2 consists of the next three weeks of the program. On-field workouts may include individual or group instruction and drills, as well as “perfect play drills,” and drills and plays with offensive players lining up across from offensive players and defensive players lining up across from defensive players, conducted at a walk-through pace. No live contact or team offense vs. team defense drills are permitted.

Phase 3 consists of the next four weeks of the program. Teams may conduct a total of 10 days of organized team practice activity, or “OTAs”. No live contact is permitted, but 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills are permitted. Other than the veteran minicamp, the entire offseason program is voluntary.

THE DOLPHINS OFFSEASON PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Monday, April 15 — Start of offseason program

Monday, May 20 — OTA
Tuesday, May 21 – OTA
Thursday, May 23 — OTA
Tuesday, May 28 — OTA
Wednesday, May 29 — OTA
Friday, May 31 — OTA
Tuesday, June 4 — Mandatory minicamp
Wednesday, June 5 — Mandatory minicamp
Thursday, June 6 — Mandatory minicamp

 

I think its in mandated in the CBA as only so many can be compensatory.