MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – For the first time in a quarter century, Chris Grier is no longer a member Miami Dolphins.
Team owner Stephen Ross announced their decision to split on Friday with the longtime general manager in the middle of his 10th season in the job — about 12 hours after the Dolphins' 28-6 loss to the Dolphins. Baltimore Ravens at Hard Rock Stadium dropped their record to 2-7.
Just two years ago in the same stadium, the Dolphins looked like the NFL's next power when they scored 70 points. Denver Broncos. But what followed was a series of injuries, mismanagement of assets and disgraceful results on the field.
Four days before the NFL trade deadline, Miami is at a critical juncture in what could be another rebuild for South Florida. Will the team retain its core players in hopes that the squad is just a few changes away from returning to form in 2023? Or will interim general manager Champ Kelly, who joined the team in March and previously had no involvement with much of the roster, start accumulating draft capital and clearing salary cap space?
Plus, what does this mean for coach Mike McDaniel, who has spent much of the last month and a half answering questions about his employment? And is the end near for the defender? Tua Tagovailoa?
ESPN NFL Nation Dolphins reporter Marcel Louis-Jacques, top NFL insiders Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler, and senior NFL Draft analyst Matt Miller weigh in on what lies ahead for this Miami team:
Why not McDaniel? Could he leave at the end of the season?
For several reasons, the first of which was Ross's realization that the Dolphins' most common problem was roster construction, not coaching. Grier oversaw two massive projects starting in 2019 as the Dolphins trimmed their roster and stockpiled draft stock. He ended up using some of those picks to acquire high-profile veteran players like Wideout Tyreek Hillprotective back Jalen Ramsey and defensive end Bradley Chubb. Miami has also made several big signings over the past three years at the cost of losing some homegrown talent such as safety. Jevon Hollandmidfielder Andrew Van Ginkel and protective gear Christian Wilkins; Not only does the franchise not have a playoff win to prove it, but it now appears to be in the same position it was when the rebuild began.
The team hasn't given up on McDaniel, however, and Ross still has faith in the coach he hired in 2022 and extended his contract last year. He values collaboration and communication within his organization, so it's possible that any new general manager will be asked to work with McDaniel – but ultimately, you can't blame whoever gets hired if they want to hire their own coach. — Louis-Jacques
Why break up with Grier now?
In addition to the team's record, Ross had just watched his Dolphins lose a game at home by three points in which the visiting team's fans were so large that Tagovailoa blamed them for a false start on a penalty early in the first quarter. Add that to Miami's crushing loss to the Browns two weeks ago, and something has to change.
However, the timing of Ross's decision can't be ignored: The NFL's Nov. 4 trade deadline is four days away. Grier was reluctant to trade some of Miami's most attractive trade targets, but as Ross said in a statement he released Friday morning, he wanted to move things along to improve the team as quickly as possible. Ultimately, it was up to Grier to assemble the winning team. And after what he called a financial reset last offseason, there simply isn't enough talent or depth on this roster to compete. Grier leaves as the longest-tenured GM without a playoff win.
With the trade deadline approaching, conventional wisdom suggests the Dolphins are ready to move on from this season and begin another rebuild. — Louis-Jacques
What do the Dolphins expect from McDaniel for the rest of the season and what does Tua's future look like in Miami?
Sources told ESPN that Ross is a patient owner who has some faith in the process rather than the outcome. If the Dolphins continue to show fight throughout the season and Ross sees continued efforts to improve, McDaniel will be safe.
Tagovailoa's future with the Dolphins remains uncertain, even after signing a four-year, $212.1 million contract extension last offseason. Its cap hit essentially makes it untradeable until 2027. His play lags behind the top tier of AFC quarterbacks, and perhaps worst of all, the Dolphins are aiming to be the top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft (No. 6 overall, per FPI).
If Miami can take the best quarterback in the draft, the new general manager again can't be faulted for doing just that.
There are things Tagovailoa does at a high level; He's an accurate passer, and few quarterbacks are better at making quick decisions with the ball. But in today's NFL, quarterbacks are expected to make plays with their arms and legs, and given his injury history, Tagovailoa isn't a mobile threat. — Louis-Jacques
What do we know about Kelly? Is there an obvious replacement for Grier right now and how attractive is the job to potential grandmasters?
Kelly worked in NFL front offices for nearly two decades, starting as a college scout with Denver in 2007. He didn't stay long in Miami – Grier hired him this offseason after Kelly and the Raiders parted ways. Kelly was Las Vegas' interim general manager in 2023, so he brings his experience to a unique situation.
The obvious replacement for Grier will only become apparent once the Dolphins decide on the future of McDaniel, who will finish the 2025 season. If the Dolphins decide to keep McDaniel, which shouldn't happen. fully off the table given his close ties to Tagovailoa, who is owed $54 million in guarantees in 2026 – Miami would then be able to look at the football operation as a whole, but would have to hire with McDaniel and Tagovailoa in mind. But this is a big “if”. In fact, people I talked to around the league, including in Miami, were at least a little surprised that McDaniel wasn't the one going on Friday. But either way, Miami would be wise to identify a system that will promote long-term stability and a variety of league-appropriate projects, from Kansas City to Philadelphia and a few in between.
The work is moderately attractive. The South Florida location is a plus both because of the lifestyle and the ease with which the general manager can sign free agents. Miami is an NFL hotbed. There are some intriguing aspects to the lineup, but most of these players are offensive players. The defense appears to be in need of a complete overhaul. This is a team that went all in financially and doesn't have a single playoff win to show for it, leading to a roster reboot in 2025 that just didn't work. — Fowler
What does this mean for the upcoming trade deadline?
That is That question right now. Firing your general manager four days before the trade deadline definitely signals something, and the best theory I've heard so far based on the quick league-wide reaction I'm getting is that the Dolphins owners want to trade players and may give the interim GM a mandate to do so (since he's not the one who drafted them or traded for them, etc.). This could mean it's more likely that some of the Dolphins players who have been mentioned in the trade deadline chatter – like Chubb, fellow edge rushers Jaelan Phillips and Matt Judon, running back. Jaylen Wrightand midfielder Jordyn Brooks — hurry up with the picks the Dolphins will want to use to begin their rebuild next offseason.
A Thursday night game in Week 9 gives the Dolphins some head start heading into Tuesday's deadline, and teams will be making a lot of calls over the next couple of days to evaluate whether this move means the Dolphins are more likely to be open for business than Grier might want them to be at this time. — Graziano
What will the new general manager need to prioritize in the 2026 draft and who would be the best first-round pick?
The first priority for the Dolphins, who are projected to be selected No. 6 overall by FPI, is identifying their quarterback of the future. Tagovailoa has not played to the level of his contract or his status as a top-five 2020 draft pick. The next general manager will need to evaluate the 2026 draft class and determine whether players like Indiana's Fernando Mendoza or potentially Oregon Dante Moore are better for the team in the long run.
After QB, this team still has a lot to figure out. Despite big spending in previous drafts and free agency at the position, the team's front four on defense needs help. Local Perspective Reuben Bane Jr.. from the University of Miami plays like a top-five player and is a defensive prospect. He could be an instant playmaker for a defense that desperately needs someone opposing offenses will have to make plans for. –Miller
