On paper, Asante Samuel Jr. is an ideal free agent target for the Miami Dolphins.
Unfortunately, his father may have stopped it from happening.
The franchise traded away starting outside cornerback Jalen Ramsey, and they need a cornerback to replace him.
In reality, however, the idea of Samuel packing his bags and heading to South Beach may have just been shut down entirely.
Samuel’s father, two-time Super Bowl champion cornerback Asante Samuel Sr., harshly criticized the Dolphins and their leadership on a recent episode of his podcast, “Say What Needs To Be Said.”
Samuel called head coach Mike McDaniel a “pushover” and said general manager Chris Grier has “no backbone.”
“The Dolphins had no reason to trade Jalen Ramsey other than they’re sensitive,” Samuel Sr. said.
“There’s no leadership in the Dolphins organization. Mike McDaniel is a pushover. Chris Grier, the general manager, he has no backbone. These guys over here, the Miami Dolphins, they are running this team like a Little League team. No one can stand up to the players; they are terrified of their own players, and they have no control over their players.”
🎥 Asante Samuel Sr. goes off on the Miami Dolphins: “They’re sensitive, there’s no leadership in the Dolphins organization. Mike McDaniel is a pushover, Chris Grier – the GM – has no backbone… they’re running this team like a little league team.” (@pick_six22) #PhinsUp pic.twitter.com/RcT7QITTb3
— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) July 7, 2025
The Miami Herald reported Monday that the Dolphins have checked in on Samuel, who remains a free agent as he recovers from neck surgery.
The Miami Dolphins still need cornerback reinforcements after trading away Jalen Ramsey.
In May, the Dolphins also showed interest in him. However, recent comments from Samuel’s father suggest that there will be no signing.
His comments don’t necessarily mean Samuel Jr. wouldn’t sign with the Dolphins, but they certainly indicate that it’s unlikely.
When healthy, Asante Samuel Jr. has been a productive player in the NFL after initially coming into the league as a second-round pick of the Los Angeles Chargers in 2021.
In his four games played last season, he held opposing quarterbacks to an 89.6 passer rating.