Sportsnaut
The Miami Dolphins underwent a front office upheaval Friday, parting ways with general manager Chris Grier after a lackluster 28-6 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night dropped them to 2-7 on the season. Head coach Mike McDaniel surprisingly kept his job — at least for this season.
The decision raised immediate questions about why McDaniel survived the purge. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini revealed that Dolphins owner Stephen Ross “remains committed” to McDaniel.
“Ross is not simply holding on to McDaniel as a placeholder before an offseason shake-up but genuinely hopes to see McDaniel keep this group competing as Miami simultaneously begins shaping a refreshed vision for its front office,” Russini reports. “There is still confidence from ownership and the locker room that McDaniel is the right coach for the Dolphins.”
The Dolphins appeared primed for success in McDaniel’s first two years, making the playoffs in 2022 and 2023. But they fell to 8-9 last year as concerns mounted about the team’s culture and are currently third in the AFC East.
A once-potent offense has fizzled. The Dolphins rank 28th in total yards (291.4) and are tied for 25th in points (20.0) per game. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa leads the NFL with 11 interceptions and six fumbles and has a poor QBR of 43.6.
As the Dolphins search for a new general manager, it’s hard to imagine they stick with McDaniel as their head coach next year if this struggles continue.
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