The Miami Dolphins have been stuck in a cycle of mediocrity, and the blame is increasingly falling on General Manager Chris Grier, who’s been at the helm for nine years without building a consistent playoff winner. With recent reports hinting at Grier’s potential retirement and the team’s failure to get over the hump, this offseason might mark the end of his tenure. Here are three key reasons why the Dolphins should consider a change at GM in 2025—a prediction, not a report, of what could unfold.
First, Grier’s track record with head coaches has been a disaster. Miami journalist Omar Kelly highlighted critical missteps, like passing on Lamar Jackson in the 2018 draft because coach Adam Gase didn’t want to work with him, opting instead for Minkah Fitzpatrick. Later, Grier overruled coach Brian Flores’ preference for Jordan Love in 2020, forcing Tua Tagovailoa on him despite Flores’ reservations. This led to a toxic relationship, with Flores benching Tua for Jacoby Brissett and Tua eventually issuing an ultimatum: “It’s him or me.” Grier’s inability to align his coaches with his vision—or to stand firm against their influence—resulted in both Gase and Flores flaming out quickly, exposing a major flaw in his leadership.
Second, there’s buzz about Grier’s potential retirement. NFL insider Albert Breer reported that Grier, who’s been with the Dolphins since 2000 as a scout, might step down soon. Given his long tenure, he’s unlikely to be fired outright, but a poor 2025 season—especially if the Dolphins miss the playoffs again—could see him moved to an “advisory role.” The team’s recent hire of Champ Kelly, formerly the Las Vegas Raiders’ assistant GM and a candidate for other GM openings, suggests they’re preparing for a transition. If Miami falters, Kelly could take over, signaling the end of Grier’s reign.
Finally, Grier’s roster construction has been a persistent issue. While he’s made splashy moves like acquiring Jalen Ramsey, Bradley Chubb, and Tyreek Hill, and hit on draft picks like Christian Wilkins, Robert Hunt, and Chop Robinson, the Dolphins lack the physicality to dominate in the trenches. Their “soft” performance in a cold-weather playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs last season epitomized their identity as a flashy team that thrives in warm Miami games but struggles in tougher conditions. Grier’s failure to secure a reliable backup quarterback—relying on Skylar Thompson, Tim Boyle, and Mike White in key moments—has also hurt them, though the addition of Zach Wilson offers some hope if Tua Tagovailoa goes down. Still, the roster is built for 10-win seasons and a playoff berth, not deep postseason runs.
The Dolphins are at a crossroads. Grier’s big swings haven’t translated to sustained success, and with his potential retirement looming, 2025 could be his last year as GM. If the team can’t break through, expect this conversation to resurface in the 2026 offseason—but for now, the pressure is on Grier to prove he can finally get Miami over the hump.
