The Miami Dolphins’ decision to part ways with general manager Chris Grier reportedly won’t yet lead to a head coaching change.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Friday that Mike McDaniel “will remain Miami’s head coach for the remainder of the season at least.”
Dolphins managing general partner Stephen M. Ross said in a statement Friday he and Grier decided to “mutually part ways” after the team fell to 2-7 with a blowout home loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday.
McDaniel is in his fourth season as the Dolphins’ head coach. The team holds a 30-30 record and is on track for second straight losing campaign under his watch.
After leading the Dolphins on playoff runs that ended with Wild Card losses in 2022 and 2023, McDaniel signed a three-year extension ahead of the 2024 season.
The Dolphins took a step back with an 8-9 record and playoff miss in 2024 amid injuries to starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
The team now sits near the bottom of the league standings through eight weeks of the 2025 season.
Ross said in his statement that the decision to move on from Grier was made after he decided “change could not wait.”
“We must improve — in 2025, 2026 and beyond — and it needs to start right now,” Ross said.
Ross concluded that helping the Dolphins return to success would involve “evaluating all areas of our football operation, and moving forward with a clear vision for the future.”
According to a report from ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques ahead of Week 9, “a team source said Ross’ disappointment with the results doesn’t mean he’s in any rush to fire McDaniel.”
“The source said Ross is patient and a believer in the process; there’s a limit, but Ross will remain tolerant as long as there are clear steps toward improvement,” Louis-Jacques wrote.
The Dolphins have gone 1-1 since that report, with a Week 8 win at the Atlanta Hawks followed by Week 9’s defeat by the Ravens.
McDaniel and Ross hold meetings after each Dolphins game, per Louis-Jacques. When asked Friday if Ross’ tone had changed following Thursday’s loss to the Ravens, McDaniel answered, “No.”
The head coach was also asked if players who talked about “self-inflicted damage” after Thursday’s loss were still receiving McDaniel’s overall message.
“I would say so, because they just used my messaging,” McDaniel answered.
When asked about his job security throughout the 2025 season, McDaniel has repeatedly answered he’s focused on the game ahead. His attention will now turn to the long week ahead of next Sunday, when the Dolphins are slated to face the visiting Buffalo Bills in Week 10.
Source link
