The Miami Dolphins find themselves at a crossroads yet again as the 2025 NFL season draws to a close. After a campaign marked by inconsistency, internal changes, and swirling rumors, the future of head coach Mike McDaniel and the team’s general manager position hangs in the balance. With the Dolphins set to wrap up their season against the New England Patriots, all eyes are on owner Stephen Ross and the franchise’s next moves. But if you think the outcome of the final game will tip the scales, think again—this story’s drama runs much deeper than a single Sunday in Foxborough.
Let’s rewind to the start of the 2025 season. The Dolphins entered the year with hopes of rebounding from a disappointing 8-9 finish in 2024. Team owner Stephen Ross had made it clear: the “status quo” would not be tolerated. Yet, as the weeks ticked by, Miami’s fortunes failed to improve. The team is set to finish, at best, with an identical 8-9 record, marking a second consecutive season of missed playoff football. The frustration is palpable, both in the stands and the front office.
The first domino to fall was general manager Chris Grier, who was dismissed on October 31, 2025. The move sent shockwaves through the organization and put McDaniel’s own job security under the microscope. According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, “Then, there’s Mike McDaniel’s fate, and only Ross knows for sure what that is. Ross likes McDaniel, and my sense is he’d like to keep him, but will take in information from his top lieutenants on the decision, which is a coin flip right now.” That “coin flip” has been the talk of Miami for weeks, with speculation running rampant about whether McDaniel will get a fifth year at the helm.
For McDaniel, the numbers paint a complicated picture. Since taking over as head coach in 2022, he’s compiled a 35-32 regular season record and gone 0-2 in the postseason. His teams have struggled early in the year—just 4-12 in September and October over the last two seasons—but have found their footing down the stretch, going 11-6 in November and beyond. This season, the Dolphins started a dismal 2-7, but after Grier’s firing, they rallied to a 5-2 finish. That late surge, coupled with a recent win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the emergence of rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers, has given some within the organization reason for optimism.
Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported on January 3, 2026, “Chairman Stephen Ross has made no public statement on the future of head coach Mike McDaniel, who is under contract through 2028. But signs continue to point towards McDaniel returning for a fifth season, especially with the recent win over the Bucs and rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers showing promise. Since a 1-6 start, Miami is 6-3.” CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones echoed that sentiment, stating, “The Dolphins appear to be moving forward with Mike McDaniel, as was the case last month. The search for a GM has been underway, and I’m told the Dolphins have been adding and removing names from their internal list recently.”
Not everyone is convinced, though. ESPN’s Dan Graziano noted, “I’m hearing conflicting things on Miami; for a while it sounded as if Mike McDaniel was a good bet to stay, but lately the winds seem to have shifted a bit on that, so we’ll see where that lands.” The uncertainty has left fans and analysts alike wondering if Ross will ultimately side with stability or seek a fresh start.
McDaniel’s path to the NFL head coaching ranks is anything but typical. Born on March 6, 1983, in Aurora, Colorado, he played wide receiver at Yale University, where he was known for his passion and grit in the weight room. After starting his NFL coaching career as an intern with the Denver Broncos, McDaniel worked his way up through the ranks, eventually earning a reputation for innovative offensive schemes and a player-friendly approach. His tenure in Miami has been marked by creative play-calling, a preference for speed, and a locker room that, by most accounts, has continued to fight for him even in the toughest stretches.
Yet, the team’s struggles against top competition and procedural missteps have drawn criticism. The Dolphins’ inability to win big games on the road and a tendency for pre-snap errors have been recurring issues. Still, McDaniel’s supporters point to his leadership, adaptability, and the progress of young players like Ewers as reasons to stay the course.
Meanwhile, the search for a new general manager is heating up, with some familiar names in the mix. Troy Aikman, the Hall of Fame quarterback, is reportedly assisting the Dolphins in their search. Interim GM Champ Kelly is expected to interview for the permanent post, but the two leading external candidates are Joshua Williams from the San Francisco 49ers and Jon-Eric Sullivan from the Green Bay Packers. Williams, who has spent 14 seasons with the 49ers and previously worked alongside McDaniel from 2017 to 2021, is seen as a natural fit if the Dolphins intend to keep McDaniel. As Breer notes, “If McDaniel does stick, a GM with a standing relationship with McDaniel, like 49ers exec Josh Williams, could have an edge in that search.”
On the other hand, Sullivan brings a wealth of scouting experience, having risen through the Packers’ ranks since 2003 to become Vice President of Player Personnel. According to Pelissero, “The Dolphins want someone whose ‘expertise is in team building.’” Sullivan’s extensive background in scouting and player evaluation could make him an ideal fit for a franchise looking to rebuild from within.
Whoever lands the GM job will join a new power structure alongside senior VP Brandon Shore and, potentially, McDaniel. Shore has taken on a larger role since Grier’s ouster, and the next GM will help shape the Dolphins’ football operations for years to come. Daniel Sillman, a sports executive and Ross’s son-in-law, is also expected to have a voice in the final decision.
As the Dolphins prepare for their season finale against the Patriots—a team riding high with 13 wins and favored by double digits—the outcome of the game is unlikely to sway the franchise’s long-term direction. After all, one more win or loss won’t change what Miami already knows about its head coach or its roster. The real decisions are set to unfold behind closed doors in the coming days, as Ross and his advisors weigh the merits of continuity versus change.
For Dolphins fans, the wait continues. The only certainty is that the next chapter in Miami’s football story will begin soon after the final whistle blows in Foxborough. Whether McDaniel returns for a fifth season or the franchise embarks on a new era, all eyes will be on the front office—and the moves that could define the Dolphins for years to come.
