The writing on the wall in South Florida − some of it, anyway − became official Friday morning.
The Miami Dolphins and general manager Chris Grier, who had worked for the team for more than a quarter of a century, have decided to mutually go their separate ways.
“As I assessed the state of the team and in my discussions with Chris, it became clear to both of us that change could not wait," owner Stephen Ross said in a statement distributed by the team.
"We must improve − in 2025, 2026 and beyond − and it needs to start right now. Champ Kelly will serve as interim general manager effective immediately, and we will begin our search process for a new general manager. I want to thank Champ for stepping up and his commitment to the Dolphins success this season. There is a lot of football left to play and we all need to fight even harder.
“I have always been and remain committed to building a winning team that consistently competes for championships. I am incredibly proud of our leadership as an NFL organization and our continued commitment to the community, but our performance on the field and our team-building process have not been good enough. There are no excuses. I want to thank the fans for their continued support and passion for this team. You deserve a championship-caliber team you can be proud of. There’s much work ahead to return the Dolphins to sustained success, and that work begins now, finishing the season strong, evaluating all areas of our football operation, and moving forward with a clear vision for the future.”
