The Miami Dolphins have parted ways with general manager Chris Grier, the team announced Friday morning, marking the end of one of the NFL’s longest-running executive tenures. Head coach Mike McDaniel will remain in his position through at least the end of the regular season, according to multiple reports, including ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The Dolphins said the decision was mutual between Grier and the organization, coming less than 24 hours after Miami’s 28–6 home loss to the Baltimore Ravens dropped the team to 2–7. Assistant general manager Champ Kelly will serve as the team’s interim GM for the remainder of the season.
Grier’s departure closes a 25-year chapter in Miami’s front office. He joined the organization in 2000 and has served as general manager since 2016. During that span, the Dolphins posted five winning seasons and made three playoff appearances, but they never won a postseason game. Miami’s 25-year playoff win drought—dating back to December 2000—now stands as the longest active streak in the NFL.
While Grier’s exit underscores owner Stephen Ross’s growing impatience with the team’s lack of progress, McDaniel’s job appears secure for now. The third-year head coach will finish the season, with Ross expected to re-evaluate the coaching staff after Week 18.
Speaking less than 10 hours after the blowout loss to Baltimore, McDaniel acknowledged the team’s ongoing struggles with penalties, turnovers, and execution but downplayed any change in his communication with ownership.
“No,” McDaniel said flatly when asked if Ross’s tone had shifted as losses mounted.
Despite the team’s downward spiral, McDaniel has maintained his characteristic composure with the media. Though his trademark dry humor has been more subdued lately, he continues to shoulder responsibility while emphasizing professionalism and perspective.
“First and foremost, I’m the coach of the team, so I focus on coaching the players,” McDaniel said Friday. “When your record is as such, these conversations are standard. That’s how the business works. My main focus is coaching the players and helping them understand that it’s not personal.”
The timing of Grier’s dismissal is particularly significant, coming just days before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline. A team source told ESPN earlier this week that Miami had no interest in trading wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, though that stance could change under Kelly’s leadership.
Linebackers Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb have surfaced in trade rumors, though both players expressed a desire to remain in Miami. Phillips, who played his final college season at the University of Miami before being drafted by the Dolphins in 2021, said Thursday he “wants to be part of turning this thing around.”
The Dolphins briefly snapped a three-game losing streak last week with a win over Atlanta but were overwhelmed by Baltimore just four days later. Despite outgaining the Ravens in the first half, Miami trailed 14–6 at halftime after a series of self-inflicted mistakes—penalties, turnovers, and missed assignments.
“Our execution was not at a winning standard,” McDaniel admitted Friday. “It’s frustrating for everyone involved, but I believe our message is still getting through.”
For Grier, the move ends a tumultuous tenure defined by ambitious rebuilds that never quite reached sustained success. From the selection of Tua Tagovailoa to high-profile acquisitions like Tyreek Hill and Jalen Ramsey, Miami consistently hovered on the cusp of contention without breaking through.
Now, the Dolphins find themselves once again at a crossroads. With a 2–7 record, a looming trade deadline, and an interim general manager in charge, the remainder of the season will serve as both an audition and a reset for a franchise still chasing stability—and its first playoff win in a generation.
