Chris Grier is out as Miami Dolphins common supervisor the crew introduced Friday, however head coach Mike McDaniel will preserve his place via a minimum of the common season, sources informed ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The Dolphins introduced the transfer was a mutual choice between Grier and the group Friday morning, lower than 24 hours after Miami fell to 2-7 with a 28-6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Champ Kelly shall be Miami’s interim common supervisor the remainder of the season.
“This morning, I made the choice together with common supervisor Chris Grier to mutually half methods,” crew proprietor Stephen Ross mentioned in a press release. “I’ve unbelievable respect for Chris and his household, and I need to thank him for his many contributions to the Miami Dolphins over the previous 26 years.
“As I assessed the state of the crew and in my discussions with Chris, it turned clear to each of us that change couldn’t wait. We should enhance — in 2025, 2026 and past — and it wants to start out proper now. Champ Kelly will function interim common supervisor efficient instantly, and we’ll start our search course of for a brand new common supervisor. I need to thank Champ for stepping up and his dedication to the Dolphins success this season. There’s loads of soccer left to play and all of us must struggle even more durable.”
Throughout Grier’s tenure — he has been with the group since 2000, and common supervisor since 2016 — the Dolphins recorded 5 successful seasons and three playoff appearances however did not win a postseason recreation. Miami’s 25-year playoff win drought stays the longest energetic streak within the NFL.
Lower than 10 hours after the loss to the Ravens, McDaniel spoke in regards to the frustration stemming from the crew’s procedural and execution points, but additionally famous that his conversations with Ross have remained constant all through the season.
“No,” he answered flatly when requested Friday whether or not Ross’ tone has modified all through the season.
The famously personably McDaniel’s demeanor with the media hasn’t turn out to be standoffish throughout Miami’s 2-7 begin to the season; whereas he is toned down his dry humorousness to mirror the gravity of the Dolphins’ scenario, McDaniel has persistently acknowledged the character of the NFL when a crew struggles like his has.
Two weeks in the past, he referred to as any commerce rumors about Dolphins gamers “baseless” however he took a barely extra real looking tone Friday morning.
“I believe the primary factor is is that before everything, I am the coach of the crew so I concentrate on teaching the gamers,” he mentioned. “However I do know these conversations when your report is as such — that is normal, that is how the enterprise works. So these conversations shall be had. They’re very layered however at all times have the most effective curiosity within the group in thoughts. I take part in these conversations when referred to as upon. I do know these will happen over the subsequent coming days, however my foremost focus is teaching the gamers and a part of teaching gamers is having them perceive that it isn’t private.
“You simply have to elucidate the place it is coming from and be a human being … loads of the instances, individuals are flying blind, they simply hear what they hear. So when that happens you simply should be very direct and sincere, which we’ll at all times be.”
A crew supply informed ESPN the Dolphins aren’t fascinated about buying and selling vast receiver Jaylen Waddle — however that was earlier than Grier’s dismissal. Linebackers Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb have persistently been named as potential commerce targets come subsequent week’s deadline.
When requested after Thursday’s recreation, Chubb mentioned that call is out of his management whereas Phillips mentioned his choice was to stick with Miami — the place he performed his remaining season of school soccer and was drafted within the first spherical in 2021.
The Dolphins snapped a three-game dropping streak final week with a win over the Atlanta Falcons, however have been blown out at house simply 4 days later. Regardless of outgaining the Ravens within the first half and possessing the ball longer, Miami trailed 14-6 at halftime after a sequence of penalties, turnovers and miscues.
Each gamers and coaches after the sport mentioned their execution was lower than a successful normal, which McDaniel mentioned Friday was “irritating” for all events concerned at this level within the season.
“I believe it is one thing that happens actually yearly to a level,” he mentioned. “But it surely’s irritating as all get out since you’re attempting to concentrate on it and also you’re doing various things to drawback clear up it … In my place, I am not afforded the chance to have feelings on a regular basis. Yeah, it is irritating, however I can not cease. I’ve to proceed to attempt to concentrate on methods to achieve individuals and get issues completed as a result of it may possibly’t happen.”
McDaniel mentioned he believes his message continues to be getting via to gamers, and a number of gamers within the locker room have mentioned the crew hasn’t stop on its coach.
However at 2-7, as evidenced by Ross’ choice to half methods with Grier, the Dolphins season has practically hit an insurmountable low. Whereas Kelly decides the easiest way to maneuver ahead with the Nov. 4 commerce deadline quickly approaching, Dolphins gamers are targeted on persevering with to do their job whatever the crew’s report.
“It is exhausting. It is robust, however the factor is we have extra alternatives whether or not our report is 2-7 or 7-2,” security Minkah Fitzpatrick mentioned. “We’re going on the market and also you’re representing your self, representing your crew, your group. We have to go on the market and play at a excessive stage, so that is what you have to encourage guys to do.”