Stuck Between Rebuild and All-In: The Miami Dolphins Need to Make a Decision
Just two years ago, the Miami Dolphins had one of the most talented teams in football, capable of scoring 70 points in a single game, led by a quarterback who ranked first in every passing statistic. What has gone wrong? For starters, general manager Chris Grier enters his ninth year at the helm of the Dolphins, proving year after year that the team needs a change in leadership. Owner Stephen Ross, however, disagrees, stating that Grier will remain with the team for the time being. This decision will undoubtedly impact how the Dolphins are run in the coming year.
The Dolphins find themselves at the end of yet another repetitive cycle: offloading star players to restart, just as they did in 2018 when trading Jarvis Landry and moving on from Ryan Tannehill. In 2019, they did the same thing when they traded Laremy Tunsil and Minkah Fitzpatrick. So, for Chris Grier, it's time to decide: Where do the Dolphins stand? Are they rebuilding and retooling for whatever future you envision, or are they still "all-in"?
The Dolphins are facing three lingering issues as they approach mandatory training camp. In this article, I will take a deep dive to uncover what’s holding the Miami Dolphins back from succeeding shortly. Starting with their personnel issues. It was blatantly obvious last year that the Miami Dolphins had a true personnel issue. For starters, general manager Chris Grier entered a season where the team lost top guard Robert Hunt to free agency, yet he dismissed the idea of improving the offensive line.
"Every year you guys are like, 'Not good enough, not good enough,' but then offensively, we've had a pretty good offense the last two years... we feel confident in them." Said Grier during an interview. The outcome of the 2024 season wasn’t a surprise to any fan, as the offensive line finished 28th in pass blocking and 26th in run blocking. Not only were the stats poor, but Grier built this unit into the 27th most expensive in the league while investing the third least amount of draft picks on the offensive line since 2022. Enough slandering Grier; it’s time to move on to one of the biggest question marks surrounding the team: Mike McDaniel.
McDaniel has been the complete opposite of former coach Brian Flores, running a high-flying offense that can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the league. However, the act is starting to wear thin, as he has yet to prove anything when games matter the most. Under McDaniel, the Dolphins hold a record of 26-22 but are a dismal 3-13 when playing teams with a winning record. The common trend is beating up on the weaker teams, but when it’s time to face teams like the Bills, the Dolphins are consistently outcoached and outplayed in every contest.
Another issue with McDaniel is his failure to hold players accountable for mistakes or a poor work ethic. He often acts more like a best friend than a coach. Tyreek Hill, for example, missed multiple team walkthroughs last season without facing any punishment, but we’ll get into that later. Overall, the decision to bring both Grier and McDaniel back after another failed season is an ultimate head-scratcher. Then again, that’s to be expected from owner Stephen Ross.
The Decision to Pay Jalen Ramsey, Now Coming Back to Bite
The Miami Dolphins and former All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey have mutually agreed to explore trade options, as reported originally on April 15th by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. With this, the clock is ticking. Every single day that passes is just another reminder to all Fins fans that their All-Pro CB will be off the team soon. The Dolphins originally traded for Jalen Ramsey in 2023, sending tight end Hunter Long and a third-round draft pick for one of the league’s highest-regarded cornerbacks.
Everything seemed to be pointing in the right direction for the Dolphins, adding Ramsey to a defense led by legendary coordinator Vic Fangio. Yet, in historical Dolphins fashion, everything took a complete nosedive. Ramsey suffered a torn meniscus in July 2023, meaning he would miss the start of the season, and what fans thought at the time would be the entire year. Ramsey made a miraculous recovery, debuting in Week Eight, just three months after the tear. He finished the year with 22 tackles, three interceptions, and five passes defended — a solid season, considering he played in just 10 games.
Before the start of the 2024 season, the Dolphins’ front office decided to throw Ramsey a bag of money, signing him to a three-year, $72 million extension, making the 30-year-old the highest-paid cornerback in football at the time. What were the results? Ramsey finished the season with a 76.6 PFF grade, being targeted by opposing offenses 65 times, leading to 48 receptions, 566 yards, and two touchdowns. These numbers aren’t worth the lucrative contract he signed, as his career looks to be winding down. Chris Grier will have no choice but to trade the veteran corner — a guy the Dolphins locked in for so much money — leaving the cornerback room even more depleted than it is right now, even with Ramsey.
It's Time to Completely Wipe Away Conflicting Culture, Trade Tyreek Hill
From getting arrested just hours before the 2024 NFL season opener to walking off the field midgame in Week 18, Tyreek Hill’s standing in Miami has undeniably shifted. Once seen as the Dolphins’ offensive centerpiece, Hill has become a polarizing figure, both on and off the field. However, should any of this come as a surprise? Hill has long been a lightning rod for controversy, whether through his brash social media presence or off-field incidents. He’s even challenged U.S. Olympian Noah Lyles to a race, a move more about headlines than football.
Now, after a season marked by both elite production and behavioral red flags, it may be time for Miami to move on. Week 18 was a critical moment. The Dolphins were clinging to slim postseason hopes with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa sidelined, needing both a win over the Jets and help from the Chiefs, who were resting starters, to beat the Broncos. Neither outcome broke in their favor. In the final minute of the game, Hill appeared to pull himself off the field, not due to injury, but seemingly out of frustration. The optics weren’t great.
After the game, Hill told reporters, “I’m opening the door. I’m out, bro. It was great playing here, but at the end of the day, I got to do what’s best for my career. I’m too much of a competitor to be just out there.” The next day, head coach Mike McDaniel and GM Chris Grier downplayed the comment, stating that their conversations with Hill were “productive.” However, the damage, particularly with fans, had been done. The offseason brought even more questions. Hill posted cryptic messages suggesting he wanted out, and in April, he was involved in a domestic dispute with his now ex-wife. Though no charges were filed, police noted a bruise on her chest, raising more concerns about Hill’s judgment and off-field behavior.
Despite the controversy, the Dolphins have publicly committed to keeping Hill. Grier told reporters, “That is not anything that we’re pursuing. Who knows? If someone wants to come and give me two first-round picks, we’ll consider it.” This indecision reflects a broader issue: the Dolphins’ lack of clear direction. Trading away veteran corner Jalen Ramsey suggests a move toward a rebuild, while retaining Hill signals they still believe they can compete.
At some point, the organization must choose a path. Keeping Tyreek Hill, despite his talent, sends a message that production outweighs discipline. Moving on, however, would require a willingness to reset and recommit to building a sustainable culture. There’s no middle ground. It’s either rebuild or stick with what you’ve got. There’s no in-between.
