MIAMI — The Miami Dolphins’ head coaching search has taken a familiar late-January turn: the betting markets have moved, the reporting has aligned, and one name has surged to the front of the pack.
Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley has emerged as the favorite to land Miami’s head coaching job, according to a combination of betting odds movement, predictive trends and national media reporting as of Saturday afternoon, Jan. 17, 2026. With Green Bay expected to finalize a contract extension for Matt LaFleur this weekend, Hafley’s once-theoretical path to becoming the Packers’ head coach has effectively closed — and Miami now appears to be in the driver’s seat.
Hafley’s rise is not sudden inside league circles. He has interviewed with multiple teams during this hiring cycle, including the Baltimore Ravens, and has steadily built momentum thanks to a defensive résumé that blends modern NFL concepts with college-level adaptability. Miami’s interest, however, has been the most consistent — and the most actionable.
Hafley joined Green Bay after serving as head coach at Boston College, where he rebuilt the Eagles with a defensive identity rooted in man coverage, disguise and speed. Before that, he earned a strong reputation as a defensive backs coach and coordinator at several high-profile college stops, including Ohio State, where his secondary work helped elevate NFL-bound talent. That background has translated cleanly to the professional level, where his Packers defenses emphasized flexibility, pre-snap movement and matchup-driven coverage — an approach that aligns with where the league is heading offensively.
The strengths are clear. Hafley is widely regarded as a teacher, a communicator and a culture builder. Players have responded to his clarity and structure, and front offices value his ability to modernize schemes without overcomplicating them. The concerns, as with most first-time NFL head coaches, center on offensive staffing and game-management experience. Hafley has not called offensive plays, and his success in Miami would hinge heavily on coordinator hires — particularly with the Dolphins expected to have a new starting quarterback in 2026.
That quarterback reset is part of what makes Miami an intriguing fit. Owner Stephen Ross has long operated with a distinctive approach, balancing patience with bold swings and placing a premium on organizational alignment. Hafley’s background — part college program builder, part NFL tactician — fits a franchise that appears ready to reset its trajectory without tearing everything down.
With LaFleur staying put in Green Bay and other candidates slipping from contention, the market has responded accordingly. Odds have shortened, predictions have shifted and the leaguewide read has grown more uniform: if Miami wants Hafley, it can likely close the deal.
Nothing is final, and coaching searches are rarely linear. A late negotiation swing or surprise candidate could still enter the picture. But as of now, EasySportz expects Jeff Hafley to land the Miami Dolphins job, barring a major news change.
For a franchise seeking defensive toughness, organizational clarity and a fresh voice to guide its next era, Hafley’s candidacy feels less like a gamble and more like a calculated move — the kind Miami appears ready to make.
Check Out All EasySportz NFL Content Here!
Jaguars Season Preview, A Look Back!
