The Miami Dolphins have made a significant decision by parting ways with their general manager, Chris Grier. This move, however, will not lead to an immediate change in the head coach position. According to a report by ESPN's Adam Schefter, Mike McDaniel will continue as the Dolphins' head coach throughout the remainder of the season, at least.
The decision to mutually part ways with Grier was officially announced by Dolphins managing general partner Stephen M. Ross. The announcement followed the team's disappointing performance, which culminated in a blowout home loss to the Baltimore Ravens, leaving the Dolphins with a record of 2-7 for the season. Ross emphasized the need for improvement, stating, "We must improve — in 2025, 2026 and beyond — and it needs to start right now."
Mike McDaniel, who is currently in his fourth season as head coach of the Dolphins, has a mixed record of 30-30 since taking the helm. Unfortunately, the team is at risk of experiencing a second consecutive losing season under his leadership. After leading the Dolphins to playoff appearances in 2022 and 2023, both ending in Wild Card losses, McDaniel signed a three-year extension prior to the 2024 season. However, the Dolphins struggled with an 8-9 record in 2024, missing the playoffs largely due to injuries sustained by starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
In his statement, Ross indicated that the Dolphins' path to success would involve a thorough evaluation of all areas within the football operation. He asserted the importance of moving forward with a clear vision for the future, particularly in light of the team's current standing near the bottom of the league through eight weeks of the 2025 season.
Despite the team's struggles, a report from ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques suggested that Ross's disappointment with the current results does not equate to a rush to fire McDaniel. According to a team source, Ross is patient and believes in the developmental process, stating, "there's a limit, but Ross will remain tolerant as long as there are clear steps toward improvement." Since that report, the Dolphins have managed to secure a win against the Atlanta Hawks but suffered another defeat against the Ravens in Week 9.
Following each game, McDaniel and Ross engage in discussions to assess the team's performance. When asked if Ross's tone had shifted after the recent loss to the Ravens, McDaniel responded, "No." The head coach also addressed concerns about whether players who acknowledged self-inflicted mistakes after the game were still aligned with his overall message. McDaniel confidently asserted, "I would say so, because they just used my messaging."
The Miami Dolphins' decision to part ways with Chris Grier marks a pivotal moment in their quest for improvement. With Mike McDaniel set to remain as head coach, the organization is looking to evaluate and refine its approach to achieve future success. The coming weeks will be crucial for the team as they seek to turn the season around and lay the groundwork for a better future.
