Five Chris Grier Moves That Ultimately Will Cost Him His Job

Five Chris Grier Moves That Ultimately Will Cost Him His Job

1. Drafting Liam Eichenberg
Liam Eichenberg has been a common source of frustration for Dolphins fans since his arrival in 2021. However, Miami may have put him in an impossible situation from the start. In 2020, the Dolphins drafted Austin Jackson as their franchise left tackle. After an underwhelming rookie season, they moved him to guard by 2021. Eichenberg was chosen to take over the role, a rare opportunity for a second-round rookie.

As it turned out, there’s a reason most second-round rookies don’t immediately start at left tackle. Eichenberg struggled as a rookie and was moved to guard the following year. Unfortunately for Miami, he continued to struggle at guard and became the weak spot on the 2022 offensive line. By 2023, he had lost his starting role, but injuries forced him back into the lineup, where he again failed to show improvement.

In 2024, General Manager Chris Grier told the local media, “You guys are probably more worried about the offensive line than we are.” That comment came after Eichenberg was again penciled in as a starter—a decision that seemed like a mistake to anyone closely following the team. Predictably, the season went sideways, and poor offensive line play was a major factor in Miami’s first losing campaign since 2019.

2. Extending Tua Tagovailoa
After firing Brian Flores, the Dolphins brought in former San Francisco offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel to help develop third-year quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The move sparked offensive success, with Miami fielding its most dynamic unit since the Dan Marino era.

But not everything went smoothly. Tagovailoa suffered two (maybe three?) concussions in 2022 that ended his season and limited his scrambling ability. Cold-weather struggles also continued, and the team again failed to win a playoff game.

Heading into 2024, the Dolphins still hadn’t achieved meaningful postseason success, yet they rewarded Tagovailoa with a four-year extension worth $167.1 million guaranteed after a statistically successful 2023 season. Another season of injuries and playoff disappointment followed, prompting Grier to describe the state of the franchise as needing a “reset.” It’s difficult to imagine Tagovailoa receiving a similar offer on the open market. Now, the team is committed to him for at least one more year.

3. Trading Up for Jonah Savaiinaea
It’s too early to judge Jonah Savaiinaea’s NFL future. The issue isn’t with the player himself; it’s with the process that brought him to Miami. Entering the 2025 NFL Draft, Eichenberg was again projected to start at left guard, a move that hadn’t worked out in the past.

Grier attempted to correct the mistake by targeting Savaiinaea. To land him, the Dolphins traded their second, third-, and fourth-round picks to move up to No. 37 overall. He was viewed as the missing piece on the offensive line.

In a year where Miami needed strong draft returns, giving up three picks for one player was a flawed strategy. The move would be easier to justify if Savaiinaea had immediately solidified a starting role. Instead, he has struggled through three games. Even if he develops into a strong player, Grier may not be around to see it.

4. High-Priced Extensions
Tagovailoa’s extension warranted its own section, but he’s not the only player to receive a massive deal. When the Dolphins traded for Tyreek Hill in 2022, they entered a three-year championship window, bolstered by big contracts for Hill, Bradley Chubb, and Terron Armstead, as well as affordable rookie deals for Christian Wilkins, Robert Hunt, Jaylen Waddle, Jevon Holland, and Jaelan Phillips.

The team failed to capitalize. Ahead of what would have been the final year of that window in 2024, Miami doubled down by extending Hill and Jalen Ramsey. Grier could have instead held firm, letting contracts expire or trading stars for picks.

By recommitting to veterans while losing core young players, Miami passed on a valuable chance to rebuild through the draft. Instead, they had to trade away Jalen Ramsey to a team willing to absorb the cap hit. And it seems increasingly unlikely that Tyreek Hill is around for long.