The NFL schedule release has become a marquee event for football fans, and this year promises no different. The Miami Dolphins' 2026 slate will be unveiled on Thursday evening, May 14, and early projections suggest a challenging road ahead. According to analyst Warren Sharp, the Dolphins face the NFL's second-toughest schedule based on opponents' projected win-loss records.
Before the full schedule drops, the NFL will announce its International Games on Wednesday, May 13, at 9 a.m. ET on NFL Network's "Good Morning Football." There's buzz that the Dolphins might take on the San Francisco 49ers in Mexico City—a matchup that would add an exciting international flavor to their season.
As usual, Miami will battle AFC East rivals Buffalo, New England, and the New York Jets twice each. Their full slate breaks down as follows:
Home games: Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Cincinnati Bengals, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions
Road games: Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, Indianapolis Colts, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers (potentially in Mexico City)
The schedule release will also reveal how the league views Miami based on their national television appearances. But for Dolphins fans, the biggest storyline might be the gauntlet of quarterbacks they'll face. With Miami needing to rebuild their cornerback position, these matchups will be critical. Here's a look at the 14 QBs on the docket, ranked by The Palm Beach Post:
1. Josh Allen – The Bills' star is a perennial thorn in Miami's side, holding a 13-3 career record against the Dolphins.
2. Justin Herbert – The Chargers' signal-caller is 2-2 in his career against Miami, but his arm talent makes him a constant threat.
3. Drake Maye – The Patriots' young gun led New England to Super Bowl LIX in just his second season, showing he's already a force.
4. Geno Smith – The veteran is 3-2 against the Dolphins and brings steady leadership to the Seahawks' offense.
5. Kyler Murray – Coming off a career-low QBR of 47.2 in five starts with Arizona in 2025, Murray will be looking for a bounce-back year.
The Dolphins will also face a former Green Bay defensive coordinator in Jeff Hafley, now with the 49ers, adding an intriguing chess match to the mix. For fans eager to dive deeper, keep an eye on breakout players like Chop Robinson, who could be key to Miami's success in 2026.