The Times are Changing in Miami

The Times are Changing in Miami

“There are decades where nothing happens, and there are weeks where decades happen” – Unknown

For decades, the Miami Dolphins have been stuck in mediocrity, good enough to not obtain consistently high draft picks, bad enough to not win any playoff games. Every few years, it feels like the team enters a period of rebuilding. Most recently, they parlayed star tackle Laremy Tunsil into multiple draft picks and sacrificed an entire season in the hopes that quarterback Tua Tagovailoa could be their salvation. 

Unfortunately, the tank for Tua’s movement has resulted in failure as the former star saw his quality of play decrease this year and was eventually benched. When asked if he would be open to a fresh start, he said. 

“That would be dope. I would be good with it.”

 Likewise the team decided that a fresh start was needed at general manager. After 25 years with the team, Chris Grier was relieved of his duties in October. Grier was best known for the aforementioned blockbuster trade involving Tunsil and using those picks to obtain other stars such as Jalen Ramsey and Tyreek Hill. Pieces that worked for a while but ultimately flamed out, with Ramsey being traded in the offseason and Hill expressing his frustration with the team at the end of last season before breakinghis  leg and missing most of the season this year. Miami Herald writer Barry Jackson expects Hill to be waived this offseason. 

Head Coach Mike McDaniel’s future was murky until yesterday, when the team finally announced that it was moving on from the man who was once seen as the answer to unlocking the offensive potential of the team. He released a statement addressing his firing. 

“Coaching this team and being part of this great franchise has been the honor of a lifetime. When I took this job, I had a vision of a team that was bonded together and played with passion and energy on the path to winning championships.” McDaniel said. I gave everything I had for that goal. I am disappointed, especially for the fans, that we did not have better results on the field, but I am grateful for every coach, player, and staff member who poured themselves into that vision alongside me.” 

Now the Dolphins will begin to search for their next head coach. The first brick of this rebuild was laid when the team announced they were hiring the Green Bay Packers’ vice president of player personnel, Jon-Eric Sullivan, to be their new general manager. I would expect that they take a serious look at Malik Willis, who has filled in well at quarterback for Jordan Love when needed and is in the final year of his rookie contract. As for who the next head coach will be, that’s less clear, though every fan I know is pulling for John Harbaugh to be hired. 

Ultimately, it was time for this iteration of the Dolphins to be broken up. While Grier, McDaniel, and Tagovailoa had their moments, they were never able to create a sustainable product. They brought the team as far as they could, but it wasn’t good enough. So the next era of Dolphins football is beginning, it will be one that features a playoff win or two.

You can follow me on YouTube @WickedGoodEverything and X @TheFakeBMarr