The Miami Dolphins are entering a new era in 2026, and the schedule reveal this week couldn't come at a more pivotal time. After a disappointing 7-10 finish last season—landing them third in the AFC East—the franchise has undergone a major shakeup. General manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel are out, replaced by Jon-Eric Sullivan in the front office and Jeff Hafley on the sidelines. With a roster built around rookies and veteran minimum deals, the Dolphins are clearly in reset mode.

When the full 17-game schedule drops, Miami will be hoping for a favor from the NFL schedule makers. According to CBS Sports' Bryan DeArdo, one wish stands out above the rest: avoid a cold-weather prime-time game at Lambeau Field.

DeArdo points out that the Dolphins already face the league's second-toughest strength of schedule. The road matchup against the Green Bay Packers is particularly intriguing, given the potential storyline of Malik Willis and Jeff Hafley returning to their old stomping grounds. "The NFL may feel compelled to put Miami's road game against the Packers on primetime," DeArdo wrote. "If nothing else, Miami would undoubtedly prefer for that trip to be made sooner in the season rather than later."

Let's be real: the Dolphins' roster isn't exactly stacked with superstars right now, so every game will be a battle. But as DeArdo notes, a late-season trip to the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field—especially at night—is a nightmare scenario for a team that calls sunny South Florida home. A September or early October game? That's manageable. A December prime-time slot? That's a recipe for disaster.

For a team trying to build momentum under a new regime, the schedule timing could be just as important as the opponents themselves. The Dolphins will find out their fate this week, and you can bet they're crossing their fingers for an early trip to Green Bay.