NFL insider gives Dolphins fans the clearest sign yet that major change is indeed coming to Miami

It sounds like the fanbase will indeed be getting what they’re asking for.

Kyle Crabbs — NFL National Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
Nov 5, 2023; Frankfurt, Germany; Miami Dolphins chief executive officer Tom Garfinkel (left) and owner Stephen Ross react in the second half during an NFL International Series game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Deutsche Bank Park.
Nov 5, 2023; Frankfurt, Germany; Miami Dolphins chief executive officer Tom Garfinkel (left) and owner Stephen Ross react in the second half during an NFL International Series game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Deutsche Bank Park. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Dolphins are firmly a team in transition. Miami has just a few pieces left from the nucleus that allowed it to post four consecutive winning seasons, with two playoff appearances, from 2020 through 2023. And now, with the team sitting at 1-6, the Dolphins’ fanbase is filled with angst. There are plenty of reasons to be dissatisfied. And this year’s team has yet to offer a reason for optimism that a 2021-level turnaround is possible, after going from 1-7 to 9-8.

The question on everyone’s mind is not “will the Dolphins win on Sunday?” It’s instead, “when (and what) is owner Stephen Ross going to do about it?” And now, thanks to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, we have our most direct indication that change is indeed in store for the Miami Dolphins.

We just don’t know exactly when the time will come and how deep the changes will go.

NFL insider Ian Rapoport gives Dolphins fans a vital update on what the future holds in Miami

“(The Miami Dolphins) are going to roll forward with what they have, hoping the results are different. I think one thing that the past week’s events has showed us is that change is coming to the Dolphins,” Rapoport said. “Obviously, (Mike) McDaniel is someone that Stephen Ross really likes and respects. He supported him, he chose him, he has invested in him with a big-time contract extension — does not want to fire him. The results, though, have to change.

“And I think because of the ugly losses, because of Tua Tagovailoa throwing teammates under the bus and then recanting and walking all of that back — because of that, it has forced the entire nation to look at the Miami Dolphins and say ‘what are they gonna do?’…So the Dolphins are going to get back to work this week with the hopes that the results are different, but I can pretty confidently say change is coming to the organization. It’s just a matter of how and when.”

2025 Miami Dolphins upcoming schedule

  • Week 8: Dolphins @ Atlanta Falcons
  • Week 9: Baltimore Ravens @ Miami Dolphins (TNF)
  • Week 10: Buffalo Bills @ Miami Dolphins
  • Week 11: Dolphins vs. Washington Commanders (International)
  • Week 12: Bye Week

Rapoport discusses the economic challenges of moving on from Tua Tagovailoa and the challenges Stephen Ross may face personally in moving on from Mike McDaniel. But the last bit of the passage is the most important piece of this puzzle — “I can pretty confidently say change is coming to the organization. It’s just a matter of how and when.”

The first step to fixing a problem is admitting you have one. And it sounds like, based on Rapoport’s focus in this passage, that the Tagovailoa meetings saga and a blowout loss to the Browns seem to have officially tugged Miami out of being mired in a rough patch and being recategorized as something that officially does need fixing.

And that’s all anyone wants — an earnest effort to fix the Miami Dolphins. Everyone has a different opinion on what is required for that to happen, but the only opinion that matters on that front belongs to Ross. And now, thanks to Rapoport, you should proceed with the belief that Ross’ stance is not eventually going to be “do nothing.”

Related Articles