The Halloween Exit and Immediate Aftermath
On the morning of October 31, 2025, the Miami Dolphins organization underwent a significant leadership change when general manager Chris Grier was fired. The decision came just hours after the team suffered a decisive 28-6 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens at Hard Rock Stadium. According to reports from SI.com, the termination was met with almost universal approval from fans who had grown increasingly frustrated with the franchise's direction over the preceding years.
Grier’s departure marked the end of an era that began in 2016 when he first took over the GM role. He assumed true general manager duties in 2019, following the departure of Executive Vice President of Football Operations Mike Tannenbaum. His tenure was defined by a paradoxical record: while the Dolphins made the playoffs three times under his watch, including in his first year in 2016, the team failed to win a single playoff game during his entire time as GM.
This postseason drought extended a broader failure that began in Grier’s first year with the organization in 2000, when he served in a different capacity. The lack of postseason success became a primary driver for the front office's decision to make a change on Halloween, a date that now marks the one-year anniversary of his exit.
Rebuilding Under Jon-Eric Sullivan
In the wake of Grier’s firing, Champ Kelly served as the interim general manager for the remainder of the 2025 season. During this brief interim tenure, Kelly executed one notable trade, sending linebacker Jaelan Phillips to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a third-round pick.
By January 2026, Jon-Eric Sullivan was hired as the permanent general manager, initiating what has been described as a massive rebuilding project. Early moves by Sullivan have reportedly won over fans who are eager to correct previous mistakes. His draft class has already seen early contributions from players such as Kadyn Proctor, Chris Johnson, Jacob Rodriguez, Caleb Douglas, and Michael Taaffe.
The transition of power highlights the stark contrast between the interim period and the new regime's approach. While Kelly’s tenure was defined by a single roster move to address immediate needs, Sullivan’s appointment signals a long-term strategic shift aimed at stabilizing the franchise after years of high-profile acquisitions that failed to yield championships.
Assessing Grier’s Draft Legacy
A retrospective look at Grier’s tenure reveals a mixed bag of draft successes and failures. His best trade in terms of value is widely considered to be the 2019 deal with the Houston Texans for offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil, which netted the Dolphins high draft picks. Other draft hits during his era include selecting Xavien Howard and Christian Wilkins in 2019, Robert Hunt in 2020, De’Von Achane in 2023, Malik Washington in 2024, and Patrick Paul in 2024.
However, Grier’s draft record is also marred by significant misses. Critics point to the selection of Charles Harris in 2017, Noah Igbinoghene in 2020, Liam Eichenberg in 2021, Channing Tindall in 2022, Cam Smith in 2023, and Chop Robinson in 2024 as notable errors. Specifically, the decision to draft cornerback Noah Igbinoghene over running back Jonathan Taylor or safety Antoine Winfield in the first round of 2020 is frequently cited as a major miss.
Further criticism centers on the 2023 second-round selection of Cam Smith over outside linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu, guard O'Cyrus Torrence, or tight end Tyler Kraft. Additionally, the Dolphins are criticized for selecting Kenneth Grant at number 13 in a later draft, missing out on tight end Tyler Warren, who was taken by the Indianapolis Colts one spot earlier.
High-Profile Trades and Controversial Picks
Grier’s tenure was also defined by high-stakes roster construction that drew both praise and criticism. The Dolphins traded for star wide receiver Tyreek Hill and cornerback Jalen Ramsey, with the latter acquired for a third-round pick and a backup tight end. While these moves elevated the team's profile, they did not result in playoff victories.
Another controversial move was giving up a first-round pick for defensive end Bradley Chubb. This is described as a questionable decision because Chubb was an impact player for only one season before a Week 17 knee injury ended his 2023 campaign. Similarly, the trade down from pick 3 to 12 in the 2021 draft to acquire two future first-round picks, followed by trading one of those back up to pick 6, drew scrutiny.
The most significant criticism of Grier’s drafting philosophy involves his 2020 selections. He is heavily criticized for choosing quarterback Tua Tagovailoa over Justin Herbert and offensive tackle Austin Jackson over wide receiver Justin Jefferson. The decision to take Jaylen Waddle instead of Penei Sewell is also cited as a mistake, with Sewell going on to become an elite tackle on his path to the Hall of Fame.
As Sullivan continues to build his roster, the legacy of Grier’s tenure remains a subject of intense debate. While there were moments of brilliance, such as the Tunsil trade and the development of Achane, the accumulation of draft misses and the failure to secure a playoff win have left a complicated mark on Miami Dolphins history.