
The Miami Dolphins have brought in legendary quarterback Troy Aikman to assist with the search for the team’s next general manager.
Dolphins owner Stephen Ross looks set to ramp up efforts to try to hire a general manager for the 2026 season, determined to find someone capable of building a Super Bowl contender.
The team currently has Champ Kelly in interim charge, having parted ways with Chris Grier ahead of this season’s trade deadline, ending a nine-year tenure that did not bring desired results.
The Dolphins had just a 77-80 record with Grier in charge, with three appearances in the playoffs and zero postseason wins during that time, extending the longest playoff win drought in league history.
Ross needs to get things right this time around, as fans of the team continue to cry out for success – something that has been severely lacking for over two decades.
To help with landing the right person, Ross has employed the help of a Hall of Fame quarterback.
Troy Aikman, a three-time Super Bowl champion with the 1990s Dallas Cowboys dynasty, has been hired by the Miami Dolphins as a consultant for their general manager search.
Currently a broadcaster with ESPN, Aikman has been hired on a temporary basis, meaning he will not hold a role with the team once the hiring process concludes, and he is expected to sit in on interviews throughout the search.
He is also said to be joined by Dolphins legend and fellow Hall of Fame QB, Dan Marino.
The move has surprised many, but there is also a belief that it could be a huge benefit to the Dolphins as they seek to break out of this long-lasting struggle for success.
Aikman is a hugely respected person within the NFL, and his role with ESPN, where he works on Monday Night Football, means that he has plenty of connections around the league and can provide insight that the Dolphins’ owner may not have.
Ross appears willing to listen to external voices, clearly identifying the serious need to succeed with his next hire, and Aikman is someone he reportedly believes can bring valuable perspectives on this search.
Aikman played for one of the most successful dynasties in football history and knows what it takes to win and run an organization efficiently, so having him provide a new voice during the GM search could be a valuable asset to the team.
Having the 59-year-old’s connections will undoubtedly help the Miami Dolphins spread their search far and wide as they look for someone who reportedly has a strong scouting background.
The decision to bring in Aikman suggests the Dolphins will not be keeping Kelly in the role beyond his interim stint, and it could be indicative that head coach Mike McDaniel may find himself out of a job, too.
Bringing in a new general manager often comes with an overhaul of personnel, with the GM looking to build a team of their own design rather than simply trying to get what already exists to work.
Aikman’s perspective, experience, and connections should help the Dolphins in this search and usher in a new era of football in South Florida.
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