According to Dolphins reporters Marcel Louis-Jacques and Barry Jackson, Hafley made it clear “this is all part of the business”. Moreover, the first-year head coach believes Jon-Eric Sullivan and the front office will figure out a way to keep Achane in Miami.

The Dolphins are entering a complete rebuild. Stars such as Jaylen Waddle, Tyreek Hill, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Bradley Chubb, and others have already left. Many believe Achane could be the next name on that list, but Miami has no desire to move on from its best and most electric player.

Achane knows his worth in Miami

When Achane touches the pigskin, anything can happen in Miami Gardens. However, if he isn’t paid accordingly, the star running back could look for a future elsewhere. Achane knows how crucial he is to the Dolphins’ offense. Still, running back is the most underpaid position in the NFL, and even Achane may fall victim to a system that exploits halfbacks but leaves them out to dry as soon as things head south.

Entering a contract year, the stakes are just too high for the product out of Texas A&M. Thus, he is using his leverage to get a deal out of Miami before the season begins. If not, he could risk: (a) suffering an injury, (b) watching his production dip, or (c) both.

Any option would hinder his value and could end up costing him a lot of money, as well as job security in a league that can forget its stars as fast as it initially dubbed them generational talents. That is also part of the business—an ugly side to it, perhaps, but no less real because of it.

Could Achane ask out of Miami?

For all of these reasons, Achane may ask to be traded to a team with a real shot at the Vince Lombardi Trophy. For the Phins, it feels like any championship window won’t open for a while—not unless they find their franchise savior in the upcoming draft or in 2027. The lack of success Miami has had in drafting franchise quarterbacks leads fans to not be fully sold on that promise.

Achane is the most explosive player on a Miami Dolphins squad that lacks weapons on both sides of the ball. Miami would love nothing more than to keep the fourth-year running back in town. Yet the Phins are well aware that, just as elusive as he is on the gridiron and capable of breaking off to the races, Achane could just as quickly bolt from the Dolphins.

It’s paramount for Sullivan and Haffley to figure out a way to keep him around. In a worst-case scenario, Miami should vie for a king’s ransom in a trade involving Achane. Any other outcome may be a terrible omen to start Sullivan and Haffley’s time in South Florida.

The NFL fined Dolphins running back De’Von Achane for a “violent gesture” after a nose wipe celebration during the first quarter against the Jets. He is the key weapon fined, but other player also got fined for the same reason.

Achane will be deducted $8,238 while Jaylen Wright, a second-tier running back, will be charged with $6,388. Both gestures happened at the same time. After scoring a touchdown, Dolphins players celebrated sitting around a campfire with the ball serving as the flame. Then, both Achane and Wright both performed a nose wipe before holding out both hands in the shape of guns and then holstering them.

The nose wipe is a gesture the NFL has fined a lot

Just in Week 13 alone, five players were fined for nose wipes celebrations. It’s a massive topic of discussion among NFL rules. According to NFL.com, the nose wipe is banned because it’s considered an unsportsmanlike conduct, being considered an aggressive, taunting, or demeaning act.

The other reason for the gesture being banned is player safety/decorum. The NFL wants to maintain a respectful environment, so curbing actions that incite opponents or offend viewers will be sanctioned.

Achane will not be suspended

While this is a sanctionable act, it doesn’t warrant a suspension. Hence, he will play for the Dolphins this week against the Steelers. Achane was also dealing with a rib injury but it won’t be enough to sideline him.

Achane is a key part of this offense. Arguably, he is more impactful than quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Achane is not only an elite runner, but with 55 receptions, he is the player with the second-most catches on the team too.

The Miami Dolphins began the 2023 NFL preseason with a 3-19 loss to the Atlanta Falcons at home. This does not mean that the Dolphins’ offensive line is weak, nor does it mean that they needed Dalvin Cook. It was just a preseason loss, and that’s all.

However, some critics have pointed out that the Dolphins do not have a player like Cook, and that no other player can contribute to the franchise like he would have. But these critics are wrong. The Dolphins do have a running back who could be better than Cook in the upcoming season.

Cook’s asking price was out of bounds for Dolphins’ GM Chris Grier. The Dolphins wanted Cook, but they were unwilling to cross that financial line.

Who is the rookie RB that could be better than Dalvin Cook in the upcoming season?

After Cook’s signing fell apart, the Dolphins have nothing to worry about. Their running back room is loaded with talent, and one of those players is rookie Devon Achane. He was selected with the 84th pick in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Achane was a running back at Texas A&M, where he posted a total of 2,376 rushing yards. His best season was in 2022, when he rushed for 1,102 yards on 196 attempts and scored 8 touchdowns. He also teamed up with another top young running back, Isaiah Spiller, who now plays for the Rams.

The Dolphins have a roster of seven running backs for the upcoming 2023 season. This includes experienced player Raheem Mostert, who is considered one of the best running backs in the league.