Special Teams, Special History: Jake Bailey and Riley Patterson Rewrite Dolphins Records

After Jake Bailey disappointed in his first season and Jason Sanders went down, it appeared the Dolphins special team’s unit had taken a hit, but it actually ended in historical fashion for the Miami Dolphins. Although the Dolphins season didn’t go the way they wanted, their special teams’ leaders Jake Bailey and Riley Patterson made the most of their opportunities.

Riley Patterson’s Success and Next Years Question

Riley Patterson finished 2025 with a mark of 27/29, good for 93.1 percent, the most accurate field goal kicking season in Dolphin’s history. Patterson was signed early in the year when Jason Sanders went down and filled the All-Pro kickers shoes quite nicely.

Patterson missed only two kicks, and tops Dolphin’s kickers Dan Carpenter, Olindo Mare, and Pete Stoyanovich for the best kicking season in Dolphin’s history.

So, after a great year, who do the Dolphins bring back for 2026, their All-Pro kicker, or Riley Patterson who had the best year of his career and in Dolphin’s history. Patterson has his range issues — career long of 54 and struggles from distance– but his accuracy can’t be debated.

The Dolphins should bring back whoever is the cheaper contract and certainly has a good problem on their hands in the kicking department.

Jake Bailey Sets Another Record

Jake Bailey finished the Dolphins season with a net punting average of 42.6 yards, the best punting season in Dolphin’s history. Bailey was a former All-Pro and found his footing after an average first year in Miami. Bailey broke the Miami Dolphins record for net punting average, surpassing Brandon Fields. Bailey only had three touchbacks and certainly should be considered as the teams 2026 punter.

Both are unrestricted free agents this season and have forever marked themselves in Dolphins’ history. If the Dolphins move on from Sanders, Patterson should certainly be the first option, and Miami should no doubt bring Jake Bailey, the former All-Pro back.

Miami had a lot of problems this season; Bailey and Patterson being the furthest from them.