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While the move might have already been in the works much earlier, it looks like the Miami Dolphins’ Thursday night blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens was the last straw.

The Dolphins have decided to “mutually agree to part ways” with general manager Chris Grier after almost 10 years. Grier, 55, had been part of the Dolphins’ front office in some capacity since 2000, rising up the ranks after beginning as a scout.

Our guy Kyle Crabbs breaks down the move here:

Ever-changing approach: “The Dolphins wanted to be a team that built through the draft. Until they had a bunch of young players, then it was time to throw nearly double digit picks at the Chiefs and Broncos for two veteran players with mature contracts that the team still carries with them. The Dolphins wanted to be a team run by a tough, demanding defensive mind.

“Until that didn’t work well, then it was time to lean into a kinder, softer players’ coach with an offensive background. The Dolphins wanted to target young, developmental players like Channing Tindall, Erik Ezukanma, and Elijah Higgins in the draft. But none of them hit — so then in 2025 it was a point of emphasis to target ‘high floor’ rookies who could start right away.

“The team lost value in increments along the way of this build by chasing the opposite of something that didn’t work.”

Lack of direction: “…too often Grier’s tendency was to defer to his head coach. ‘Just shopping for groceries for the recipe we’re trying to cook.’

“In the end, it produced what one rival executive described as a ‘directionless operation.’ Miami’s identity changed with the seasons. It changed with the coach — and throughout Grier’s unquestioned tenure the team juggled offensive coordinators from 2019 through 2022 annually before juggling defensive coordinators annually from 2022 to 2024. You can’t develop talent when the scheme is always changing and, on top of that, you’re looking for different traits every year. There’s no shortage of critiques for the job Grier did as the lead in Miami.

“But that should be at the top of everyone’s list — he wasn’t convicted enough in his ideal.”

What’s next? Following this move, the team named senior personnel executive Champ Kelly as interim GM. Craig Smith covers this in detail:

“The Dolphins hired Kelly in March, but he has extensive experience in NFL personnel and scouting departments going back to 2007. He began his career as a scout with the Denver Broncos in 2007 and remained with the team through 2014, serving as assistant director of pro player personnel. He moved on to the Chicago Bears, where he served as director of pro scouting and later the assistant director of player personnel through 2021.

“His most recent stint before Miami was with the Las Vegas Raiders, where he was hired as assistant general manager. His most notable role came in 2023, when he served as interim general manager of the team following the ousting of former GM Dave Ziegler two years ago.

“As such, Miami will be getting someone who isn’t completely new to the process and responsibilities that come with the general manager position for at least the rest of this season. With the trade deadline just four days away, he takes on the job in a crucial moment for the franchise.

“In any event, it’s a new era for the Miami Dolphins, and we’ll see if Kelly can help them get it off on the right foot the rest of this season.”

Potential GM replacements for Dolphins, other prospective teams

The Dolphins’ GM spot is one of potentially several openings that will become available over the next few months. Wendell Ferreira threw together a list of top GM candidates that the Dolphins and other prospective teams could be watching:

Jon-Eric Sullivan, Green Bay Packers vice president of player personnel: “Sullivan had interviews with the Titans, Jets, and Titans last year, advancing the final stages of the process in Tennessee. He’s the top scout behind Brian Gutekunst in an organization that has been highly successful building through the draft.”

George Kokinis, Baltimore Ravens vice president of player personnel: “The Ravens is one of the most respected franchises in football, and Kokinis has an important scouting role.”

Catherine Hickman, Cleveland Browns vice president of football operations/assistant GM: “Catherine has worked in the NFL and CFL for a long time on the managerial side, and could become the first woman to become a GM in the league.”

Andy Weidl, Pittsburgh Steelers assistant GM: “Weidl has decades of experience on the scouting side. Before working on the Steelers, he spent six years with the Philadelphia Eagles.”

Ed Dodds, Indianapolis Colts assistant GM: “Dodds has been a hot candidate for several years. But now that the Colts have been extremely successful, his name tends to pop up more frequently.”

Brian Xanders, Jacksonville Jaguars senior advisor to the GM/personnel strategist: “Xanders has GM experience with the Denver Broncos between 2009 and 2012, helping to build the team that reached two Super Bowls in the 2010s. He’s spent a lot of time with the Los Angeles Rams before following James Gladstone to Jacksonville.”

Chad Alexander, Los Angeles Chargers assistant GM: “He spent 20 years with the Ravens, and recently moved to the Jets and Chargers to gain more experience elsewhere.”

Alec Halaby, Philadelphia Eagles assistant GM: “A rising youngster, Halaby started his NFL journey in 2007 as an intern and climbed the ladder under Howie Roseman. He’s a good name if the team looks for a strategist.”

Will McClay, Dallas Cowboys vice president of player personnel: “It’s hard to imagine McClay leaving Dallas, where he’s almost a regular GM. But if he wants the chance to call the shots, multiple teams would be interested.”

Champ Kelly, Miami Dolphins interim GM: “Kelly took over the Dolphins after the team parted ways with Chris Grier. He was also the interim GM for the Raiders a few years ago. It’s difficult to impress under these circumstances, but he has to be mentioned.”

Green Bay Packers News

15 potential NFL general managers for 2026, as the league’s next generation of leaders starts making its presence felt

There are excellent candidates getting ready to take teams over for the next seasons.

Wendell Ferreira

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