Dolphins’ next general manager can reshape the franchise by finally prioritizing something that went neglected far too long under the watch of Chris Grier
The key to a better future in Miami is being better at this one thing.
The Miami Dolphins‘ front office search is just beginning. Miami is guaranteed to go into the 2026 offseason with a new leader at the helm — long-time executive Chris Grier left the organization at the end of October. Miami and their fanbase must hope that their new general manager is different from Grier in a number of ways. But one major distinction could be the first class ticket to a more consistent and competitive future for the Dolphins.
If Miami’s new general manager has one thing different from Grier, here’s to it being how quickly they prioritize contract extensions to in-house drafted talent.
Dolphins’ new general manager can improve the team’s outlook by more quickly prioritizing internal extensions
Think about it. How often in recent years have the Miami Dolphins successfully negotiated a proactive contract extension before getting onto the doorstep of a contract year? Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle looms as the standout in this regard — he signed a three-year, $84.75 million extension with two years remaining on his rookie contract. Beyond that? Tua Tagovailoa (understandably) reached the doorstep of the final year of his rookie contract before signing an extension. Tackle Austin Jackson had his fifth-year option declined and signed a three-year extension just one month from the end of the final year of his rookie contract.
Christian Wilkins? No extension. Robert Hunt? No deal. Mike Gesicki was forced to play on the franchise tag. Andrew Van Ginkel was allowed to test free agency in 2023 before signing a one-year extension. A strong season later? He walked in free agency. Jevon Holland left in free agency this offseason after the team failed to find an agreeable offer in Miami, too.
There are very few examples of Miami proactively inking contract extensions to players under Grier. Waddle is one. Cornerback Xavien Howard is another — although he signed his deal during Miami’s cash cut season in 2019.
Chris Grier draft selections to earn long-term contract extensions before their final season of rookie deal
- WR Jaylen Waddle: three-year, $84.75 million extension in 2024, signed with two years remaining on rookie deal
- QB Tua Tagovailoa: four-year, $212.4 million extension in 2024, signed during training camp of contract year
- LB Jerome Baker: three-year, $37.5 million extension in 2021, signed in June before contract year
- K Jason Sanders: five-year, $22 million extension in 2021, signed in February ahead of final year of rookie contract
- CB Xavien Howard: five-year, $75.25 million extension in 2019, signed in May ahead of final year of rookie contract
As a matter of fact, Grier was much more prone to proactively handing out extensions or adjustments to players already playing on mature contracts. Howard got a proactive extension in 2019 and, three years in with three years remaining, got a then record-setting adjustment. Tyreek Hill got a record-setting deal in Miami and then had the remainder of the contract renegotiated with three years remaining. Jalen Ramsey got a contract adjustment and extension one year into his tenure with the team.
Every single one of those contracts blew up in Miami’s face. It was just a matter of how badly. In Hill’s case, the team was stuck with him thanks to a hefty guaranteed salary for 2025 just months after effectively wishing himself out of Miami in Week 18 of the 2024 season. Ramsey was traded in July of 2025 after securing consecutive new deals from Miami in 2023 and 2024. They’ll carry a nearly $21 million dead cap charge in 2026 for their troubles. Miami carried nearly a $16 million dead cap charge for Xavien Howard THIS season and he hadn’t played for the team since 2023.
And so in Miami’s search for their next general manager, here’s to their choice for the role being a better judge of proactively extending players on rookie contracts and less inclined to continue retouching and adding new guarantees to the team’s already supersized contracts. Such a development would keep Miami in a healthier place.
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