Fins fired Flores over 'deteriorated' relationships with Grier, Tua?

Brian Flores Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Dolphins fired Brian Flores over 'deteriorated' relationships with GM Chris Grier, QB Tua Tagovailoa

Originally posted on Game 7 | By Anthony Amador | Last updated 1/10/22

The Miami Dolphins made a stunning move early Monday morning when they announced that they fired head coach Brian Flores.

Miami started the year 1-7 in Flores’ third season with the franchise but ultimately rallied back strong to win eight games in the second half of the year. Throughout his three-year stint with the organization Flores went 5-11 with an inherited roster, 10-6 and then 9-8. Normally, a showing like that doesn’t get you fired.

Why’d the Dolphins ultimately make the decision they made?

According to ESPN NFL insider Jeff Darlington, a power struggle of sorts emerged in Miami.

The decision to fire Flores can be summed up with one word: Relationships. His relationship with Grier and Tua had deteriorated to a pretty bad place. Along with constant staff changes, owner Steve Ross no longer saw Flores as a healthy fit in Miami. https://t.co/9oRmk66hm9
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) January 10, 2022

There was also some initial chatter that Miami was hoping to replace Flores with Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, but apparently that will not happen.

Dolphins owner Stephen Ross:

“I’m not going to be the person to take Jim Harbaugh from the University of Michigan. I hope he stays there.”

— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) January 10, 2022

Fortunately for Flores, it's likely he won’t have much trouble finding a new gig.

It will also be interesting to see what impact this all ultimately has on the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes. Flores was a central reason why the Texans star wanted to go to Miami.

The #Dolphins firing Brian Flores likely resets the Deshaun Watson landscape pretty significantly. Flores was very much a driving force behind that interest & the tandem of Flores/Grier was a part of what made Watson willing to waive his no trade to Miami. Everything has changed.
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) January 10, 2022

Earlier this year Miami was linked to a fairly substantial three-team trade that never ended up materializing. It will be interesting to see if it gets new life in the offseason as a result of this move.

It’s rare that an end-of-season NFL firing comes out and shocks everyone, but that’s exactly what this one did. Things will only get more interesting from here.

This article first appeared on Game 7 and was syndicated with permission.

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