We just got our most encouraging update of the Dolphins’ general manager search to date
It sounds like the Dolphins have the right mindset entering their job search.
The Miami Dolphins‘ offseason outlook will be centered around their general manager vacancy. There are a few more days before Miami ultimately kicks off its formal search. But this is the kind of decision that can set the trajectory of a franchise if you get it right. A major question about their hiring is centered around the status of head coach Mike McDaniel. Will he be back? Will the general manager be saddled with him for 2026? Or will the team open up that vacancy as well?
It’s a fascinating dynamic. For those worried that the Dolphins may fumble the hire by retrofitting their general manager to a head coach who may be on the hot seat, we’ve gotten a promising update from one of the league’s marquee insiders.
Dolphins seeking ‘the best team fit in general’ for GM job, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler
“My sense is that McDaniel would be a candidate in Cleveland, should the Dolphins move on and Cleveland’s job open. He still has some support in Miami. We will see if that’s enough. He has made a case to stay. From what I’ve gathered, the Dolphins’ GM search won’t necessarily be centered around fitting with McDaniel; it’s more so about finding the best team fit in general.”
— ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on the state of the Dolphins’ upcoming GM search
The worst thing the Dolphins could do with the general manager hire is to make the decision based on who will be willing to work with Mike McDaniel. Because if the Dolphins flop in 2026, what happens to Mike McDaniel? He’s probably out and, as a result, the general manager you’ve just hired is already here on expired criteria.
That’s a first class ticket to dysfunction and would be a regrettable strategy for the Dolphins to implement.
Fortunately, it sounds like Miami will be approaching this hire with the proper perspective. Who is the right person to lead this team into the future and manage their assets and personnel? In many ways, it is a tone-setting hire that, if done right, could catapult the Dolphins out of their frustrating drought as a franchise. We still have a bit to wait before this process gets rolling — but kickoff is coming quick. And now, we can have a little more confidence that Miami is going to go about the search asking the right questions.
Potential top general manager candidates for the 2026 hiring cycle
- Alec Halaby, Philadelphia Eagles
- Ray Agnew, Detroit Lions
- Andy Weidl, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Jon-Eric Sullivan, Green Bay Packers
- Josh Williams, San Francisco 49ers
- Chad Alexander, Los Angeles Chargers
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