The Phinsider
The Miami Dolphins added Hall of Fame quarterback and Monday Night Football analyst Troy Aikman as an advisor during the search for their new general manager. On Friday, the team announced the hiring of Jon-Eric Sullivan as the hire, but that did not end Aikman’s role with the team. According to the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson, Aikman will continue to serve as an advisor during the head coaching search.
The Dolphins fired Mike McDaniel on Thursday, ending his four-year tenure with the team. McDaniel has already drawn interest from other teams as either a head coach or a coordinator for the 2026 season, but Dolphins owner Stephen Ross ultimately decided it was time for a complete reset for the team, brining in a new head coach along with Sullivan.
Jackson adds that Sullivan will lead the search for the next head coach. Ross will be involved as the team’s owners and Aikman will “advise in a similar fashion” to his work to hire Sullivan.
The Dolphins are believed to be interested in former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, who was fired this week and is expected to start scheduling interviews next week. The New York Giants are also highly interested in adding Harbaugh.
There is also speculation that Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley could be on the team’s short list of candidates. Sullivan joins Miami after 23 years with the Packers, including the last two with Hafley.
The Dolphins’ goal was to get Sullivan in place as the GM before they officially kicked off their head coach search. Keeping Aikman as an advisor to the team provides stability and consistency in the hiring process.
