Searching for Stability

Searching for Stability

As the Miami Dolphins are preparing to face the Buffalo Bills, doubts have turned into a harsh reality. At 2–7, with key players sidelined and major front-office changes shaking the organization, the Dolphins find themselves battling more than just another division rival; they’re fighting to keep their season, and perhaps their identity intact. Even before the season kicked off, national analysts were skeptical about Miami’s chances.

The team’s top-heavy roster was seen as a talented but thin one that could shine when healthy but crumble if injuries struck. The defense, once a strength, has struggled to generate consistent pressure, while the offense has been erratic and turnover-prone. Their 28–6 home loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 9 has been the story of this year, a few promising moments drowned out by inconsistency and mistakes.

With a postseason berth almost certainly out of reach, the Dolphins are no longer just playing for wins; they’re playing for pride and direction. The most dramatic shift came off the field. On October 31, 2025, Miami and long-time general manager Chris Grier mutually agreed to part ways, ending a tenure that stretched over two decades. Grier helped assemble the team’s core but was never able to deliver sustained postseason success. 

Owner Stephen Ross described the move as necessary for the franchise’s long-term vision. For a franchise that has long flirted with mediocrity, this change was as much symbolic as it was structural, an admission that what they’ve been doing simply isn’t working. Just days after Grier’s departure, Miami traded linebacker Jaelan Phillips to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick. Phillips, a former first-round selection, had shown flashes of dominance when healthy but struggled to stay on the field. Losing a talented young pass rusher on an already thin defense underscored how fragile the team’s situation has become.