In the world of the Miami Dolphins, there’s been a ripple among the fans with the announcement that both GM Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel will be back for the 2025 season. Stephen Ross, the Dolphins’ owner, made it clear that the bond between Grier and McDaniel is a cornerstone for the team, dubbing their working relationship an “asset.”
This isn’t a newfound respect, but rather a reflection of Ross’s long-standing belief in collaboration, emphasized after he parted ways with Brian Flores as head coach in January 2022. Back then, Ross stressed the importance of a team functioning well together, hinting that the previous regime didn’t tick those boxes.
Looking at the Dolphins’ front office, “collaborative” is indeed the defining term. It’s not just Grier calling the shots; McDaniel has his fingerprints all over the roster decisions.
We’ve seen McDaniel fiercely campaign to keep veteran talent like Calais Campbell past the trade deadline, which tells you he’s not just a passive bystander in these decisions. And it’s hard to overlook Tua Tagovailoa’s gratitude for McDaniel’s role in securing his contract extension, a sign of the coach’s influence in key moves.
As for the quarterback position, it’s a safe bet McDaniel had a hand in deciding to bring back Skylar Thompson and Mike White to challenge each other behind Tagovailoa. It’s all part of the interconnected, shared decision-making process we see in Miami.
Now, the 2024 season didn’t exactly go as planned. Wrapping up with a disappointing 8-9 record after starting quarterback Tua was sidelined for four games was a hard pill to swallow.
Yet the Dolphins’ less-than-stellar run doesn’t seem enough for Ross to consider pressing the reset button, especially after spending spree gestures that screamed confidence in this team’s core. The mood within the organization was buoyant after an 11-6 season in 2023, where they flirted with the top seed in the AFC before injuries and other factors led to their fall from grace.
However, Ross put his money where his mouth is by securing crucial pieces long-term. Even though they could’ve let some contracts play out, contracts like that of coach McDaniel, Tyreek Hill, Jalen Ramsey, and Jaylen Waddle remained steadfast—essentially banking on their potential. Tagovailoa could have been an exception, playing on his fifth-year option, yet they chose otherwise.
Despite the setbacks, Ross seems unwilling to simply walk away from this hefty investment. It’s not just about this past year’s stumbles against a theoretically easier schedule; it’s about a long-term vision that suggests he’s not ready to cut ties and start afresh.
For Dolphins fans, it’s a test of patience, but Ross’ faith in the collaborative system remains unbroken. Whether it’s a wise decision or not is still up for debate, yet for now, the Dolphins’ leadership sails steadily on, eyes on redemption in 2025.