Chris Grier out as Dolphins GM; Mike McDaniel to finish season

Chris Grier is out miami dolphins The team announced the general manager on Friday, but head coach Mike McDaniels will retain his position at least through the regular season, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The Dolphins announced the move was a mutual decision between Grier and the organization Friday morning, less than 24 hours after Miami’s 28–6 loss Baltimore Ravens,

Champ Kelly will be Miami’s interim general manager for the remainder of the season.

“This morning, I have decided to part ways by mutual consent with general manager Chris Grier,” team owner Stephen Ross said in a statement. “I have incredible respect for Chris and his family, and I want to thank them for their many contributions to the Miami Dolphins over the past 26 years.

“As I assessed the team’s situation and in my discussions with Chris, it became clear to both of us that change couldn’t wait. We have to improve – for 2025, 2026 and beyond – and it needs to start now. Champ Kelly will serve as interim general manager effective immediately, and we will begin our search process for a new general manager. I look forward to his commitment to the Dolphins moving forward and to their success this season.” There’s a lot of football left to play and we all need to fight even stronger.”

During Grier’s tenure – he has been with the organization since 2000, and has been the general manager since 2016 – the Dolphins recorded five winning seasons and three playoff appearances, but failed to win a postseason game. Miami’s 25-year playoff win drought is the longest active span in the NFL.

Less than 10 hours after the loss to the Ravens, McDaniels spoke about the frustrations stemming from the team’s procedural and execution issues, but also noted that his conversations with Ross have been consistent throughout the season.

When asked Friday if Ross’ tone has changed throughout the season, he gave a candid answer.

McDaniels’ famously charming demeanor with the media during Miami’s 2–7 start to the season did not become standoffish; Although he has toned down his dry sense of humor to reflect the seriousness of the Dolphins’ situation, McDaniels has consistently recognized the nature of the NFL when a team struggles like his.

Two weeks ago, he called any trade rumors regarding Dolphins players “unfounded,” but on Friday morning he took a slightly more realistic tone.

“I think the main thing is that, first and foremost, I’m the coach of the team, so I focus on training the players,” he said. “But I know those conversations when your record is like this – it’s standard, this is the way the business goes. So those conversations will happen. They’re very layered but always have the best interest in the organization in mind. I participate in those conversations whenever called for. I know they’ll happen in the next coming days, but my main focus is coaching the players, and part of coaching players is making them understand it’s not personal.

“You just have to explain where it’s coming from and be a human being… A lot of times, people are blind, they listen to what they hear. So when that happens, you just have to be very straightforward and honest, which we will always be.”

The Dolphins have no interest in trading the wide receiver, a team source tells ESPN jaylen waddle – But that was before Grier’s firing. linebacker jalen phillips And bradley chubb Potential trade targets have been consistently named as next week’s deadline approaches.

Asked after Thursday’s game, Chubb said the decision was out of his control and Phillips said his priority was to stay with Miami — where he played his final season of college football and was drafted in the first round in 2021.

The Dolphins snapped a three-game losing streak with a win last week atlanta falconsBut he was thrown out of the house after four days. Despite outshooting the Ravens in the first half and possessing the ball for long periods of time, Miami trailed 14–6 at halftime after a series of penalties, turnovers, and miscues.

Players and coaches said after the game that their execution was not up to a winning level, which McDaniel said Friday was “disappointing” for all parties involved at this point in the season.

“I think it’s something that happens to some degree really every year,” he said. “But it’s frustrating because it all fades out because you’re trying to focus on it and you’re doing different things to problem-solve it. … In my situation, I don’t get the opportunity to have emotions all the time. Yes, it’s frustrating, but I can’t stop. I have to keep trying to focus on finding ways to reach out to people and get things done because that can’t happen.”

McDaniel said he believed his message was still getting through to the players, and several players in the locker room said the team had not given up on their coach.

But at 2-7, as evidenced by Ross’ decision to part ways with Grier, the Dolphins’ season has almost reached an all-time low. While Kelly decides the best way to move forward with Tuesday’s trade deadline fast approaching, the Dolphins’ players are focused on continuing their work regardless of the team’s record.

“It’s tough. It’s tough, but the point is we’ve got more opportunities whether our record is 2-7 or 7-2,” the safety. minka fitzpatrick Said. “We’re going out there, and you’re representing yourself, representing your team, your organization. We need to go out there and play at a high level, so you’ve got to encourage guys to do that.”