The 2010 Miami Dolphins season was the franchise's 41st season in the National Football League (NFL), the 45th overall and the third under head coach Tony Sparano. The Dolphins failed to improve upon their 7–9 record in 2009, and placed in third in the AFC East that year.
Offseason personnel moves
Staff Changes
In September 2010, Bill Parcells, stepped down as Vice President of Football Operations, but remaining as a consultant. He was later criticised for not making the right choices to improve the team.
The Dolphins lost their first coach of the offseason—outside linebackers coach Jim Reid—on January 8, when Reid was named defensive coordinator and associated head coach under Mike London at the University of Virginia.
That same week, inside linebackers coach George Edwards was named defensive coordinator at the University of Florida under Urban Meyer and acting head coach Steve Addazio. He would later go on to fill the Buffalo Bills' defensive coordinator position. On January 11, the Dolphins fired defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni after the team finished 25th in the league in points allowed during the season. He was quickly replaced by former Denver Broncos defensive coordinator, Mike Nolan, less than 24 hours after resigning his post in Denver. Former New York Giants defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan was named linebackers coach to replace both Edwards and Reid.
Players
Re-signings
June 17 — Re-signed linebacker Tim Dobbins to a two-year extension. June 18 — Re-signed punter Brandon Fields to a two-year extension, and signed long snapper John Denney to a three-year extension. July 27 — Re-signed kicker Dan Carpenter to a three-year extension. August 6 – Re-signed tight end David Martin. Martin had missed the entire 2009 season with a knee injury, and was released from the team in December. August 16 – Re-signed defensive end/outside linebacker Ikaika Alama-Francis to a one-year extension.
Signings
March 5 – Signed linebacker Karlos Dansby (Arizona Cardinals). March 17 – Signed guard Richie Incognito (Buffalo Bills). May 20 – Signed linebacker Zach Thomas to a one-day contract (Kansas City Chiefs). May 24 – Signed Offensive Lineman Cory Procter (Dallas Cowboys). July 25 – Signed defensive tackle Montavious Stanley (Jacksonville Jaguars). July 27 – Signed defensive end Marques Douglas (New York Jets). July 30 – Signed defensive end Charles Grant (New Orleans Saints). September 6 – Signed inside linebacker Bobby Carpenter (St. Louis Rams). September 8 – Signed running back/kick returner Clifton Smith (Tampa Bay Buccaneers). September 21 – Signed tight end Jeron Mastrud from the practice squad.
Departures
March 5 – Released linebackers Joey Porter, Akin Ayodele and safety Gibril Wilson. May 20 – Announced the retirement of linebacker Zach Thomas. May 27 – Terminated the contract of linebacker Reggie Torbor. July 15 – Announced the retirement of defensive tackle Jason Ferguson. September 4 – Released quarterback Pat White, guard Donald Thomas, tight end David Martin and wide receiver Patrick Turner among final roster cuts. September 5 – Released defensive ends Marques Douglas and Charles Grant. September 6 – Terminated the contract of outside linebacker Charlie Anderson. September 8 – Terminated the contract of center Jake Grove.
Trades
April 14 – Traded a 2nd round selection in the 2010 NFL Draft (43rd overall, traded to Baltimore – Sergio Kindle) and the 2011 NFL Draft for Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall. April 16 – Traded wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. to the San Francisco 49ers for a fifth round selection in the 2010 NFL Draft (145th overall – Nolan Carroll). April 22 – Traded the 12th overall selection (Ryan Mathews), a 4th round selection (110th overall, Darrell Stuckey), and a 6th round selection (173rd overall, traded to San Francisco – Anthony Dixon) in the 2010 NFL Draft to the San Diego Chargers for the 28th overall selection (Jared Odrick), a 2nd round selection (40th overall, Koa Misi), a 4th round selection (126th overall, traded to Dallas – Akwasi Owusu-Ansah) and linebacker Tim Dobbins. May 24 – Traded guard Justin Smiley to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a 7th round selection in the 2011 NFL Draft. August 25 – Traded wide receiver Greg Camarillo to the Minnesota Vikings for cornerback Benny Sapp. September 3 – Acquired offensive tackle Pat McQuistan from the Dallas Cowboys for a conditional 7th-round draft choice in the 2011 NFL Draft.
2010 NFL Draft
After finishing the 2009 season with a record of 7–9, the Dolphins were slotted for the 12th overall pick in the draft. However, on draft day, they ended up trading down with San Diego for the No.28 pick.