The latest report indicates how the Dolphins' GM interview search is navigating the Mike McDaniel conundrum

McDaniel supporters may find this development to be in poor taste. McDaniel detractors may rejoice. I think it's fair to call it "thorough". It does genuinely seem as though Miami is currently focused on "running their own race" and focusing on the general manager hire first and foremost. If that's the case, great. Hopefully the process will continue to push towards a resolution in enough time to still entertain any additional other changes this team could aspire to make this offseason; be it at head coach or otherwise.

It will be very easy to make assumptions off of the hire. If McDaniel is retained and one of the several 49ers representatives that populate the interview list end up getting the job, many will surely say the hiring process was a farce and rigged in McDaniel's favor.

But this report from Russini suggests that Miami is doing their due diligence on all fronts. And that whoever gets the job, be it a candidate from San Francisco or somewhere else, has the best answers overall to how the Miami Dolphins should be led. And that's what we're looking for through and through.

Reported Miami Dolphins general manager interview requests

• Miami Dolphins interim GM Champ Kelly
• Green Bay Packers VP of Player Personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan
• Los Angeles Chargers Assistant GM Chad Alexander
• Philadelphia Eagles Assistant GM Alec Halaby
• Los Angeles Rams Assistant GM John McKay
• San Francisco 49ers VP of Player Personnel Tariq Ahmad
• San Francisco 49ers Director of Scouting & Football Operations Josh Williams
• San Francisco 49ers Assistant GM RJ Gillen

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This story was originally published by A to Z Sports on Jan 7, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.