Dolphins ripped for not going all-in on fire sale ahead of trade deadline

Three days after Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross announced that the Dolphins and general manager Chris Grier had "mutually" agreed to part ways, the Dolphins traded pass-rusher Jaelan Phillips to the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2026 third-round draft pick.

Some believed the Phillips move indicated that Dolphins interim general manager Champ Kelly was told to sell off talent before Tuesday's trade deadline. However, that wasn't true, as Miami kept key tradeable players like wide receiver Jaylen Waddle.

In an article published on Wednesday, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler revealed that "some teams had a tough time getting a read on Miami's intentions at the deadline." ESPN's Dan Graziano elaborated on the 2-7 Dolphins not adopting a franchise reset like the New York Jets did after Grier's departure. 

Insiders left scratching heads regarding Dolphins' lack of trade-deadline moves

"The Dolphins feel like they're in some kind of awkward in-between phase," Graziano wrote. "Firing Grier, who had been with the team a quarter-century and had apprenticed under the previous three Dolphins GMs, felt like ownership signaling a desire for an entirely new vision and organizational philosophy. We don't know if the Dolphins also are going to be moving on from the head coach or even the starting quarterback in the offseason, and I thought they'd make more moves to accumulate draft capital as they pivot into whatever they decide is their future."

Reports surfaced during the offseason suggesting that the Dolphins might eventually part ways with Grier, head coach Mike McDaniel and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa this winter if the team fails to win at least one playoff game. It now seems that Tagovailoa could be just one poor performance away from losing his job to either backup Zach Wilson or rookie Quinn Ewers.

Meanwhile, Graziano noted that "Miami told teams it would take a first-round pick to get Waddle, which no one was willing to do." Fowler added that "the steep price tag" regarding Waddle's situation "fluctuated between a first-round pick or a one-plus (a first-rounder and more)."

Will Stephen Ross regret not stockpiling draft assets for next Dolphins regime?

"The Dolphins seem like they're still trying to make something out of their season at 2-7 while chasing the 7-2 Patriots and the 6-2 Bills," Graziano continued. "...I wonder if Miami will regret not making more moves."

As of Wednesday morning, ESPN BET had the Dolphins as 9.5-point underdogs for this Sunday's home game against the division-rival Buffalo Bills. If that game turns into a laugher, Ross may regret not telling Kelly to blow up the roster before Tuesday's trade deadline.