Dolphins' Chris Grier Finally Expected to Be on Hot Seat
The Miami Dolphins have not won a playoff game since 2000, and are the only team to have not won a playoff game in the 21st century.
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Miami has reached the playoffs five times in the last 24 years, but has lost in the first round each time. This season would make it a 25-year drought if the Dolphins fail to win a playoff game, and if that's the case, there could be some major changes in Miami.
Head coach Mike McDaniel has been in the hottest seat in Miami, but general manager Chris Grier could be right there with him.
Grier has been with the Dolphins since 2000, the last time the team won a playoff game. He started in Miami as a scout, then worked his way from assistant director to director of college scouting from 2003 to 2015, before becoming the general manager in 2016.
However, since 2000, Grier has been part of the organization for the entire playoff win drought.
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Despite owner Stephen Ross holding onto both McDaniel and Grier after missing the playoffs in 2024, Ross made it clear that the standard for Dolphins' football was not met, and if it continues, there will be changes.
'Continuity in leadership is not to be confused with an acceptance that the status quo is good enough,' Ross said in a statement released at the end of the 2024 season (h/t SunSentinel). 'We will take a hard look at where we have fallen short and make the necessary changes to deliver our ultimate goal of building and sustaining a winning team that competes for championships.
'As the owner of this team, I am ultimately accountable for our successes and failures. We fell short of our expectations this season, and I understand and share in the frustration in our performance on the field.'
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The Dolphins' offseason was all about beefing up the offensive and defensive lines with the additions of two offensive linemen and three defensive linemen via free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft.
Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier walks on the field prior to the game between the Miami Dolphins and the Tennessee Titans.Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images
However, beyond that, the Dolphins did not do much else. Miami added some depth to the secondary, and swapped cornerback Jalen Ramsey for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and tight end Jonnu Smith for Darren Waller.
The Dolphins will start the season with a healthy edge rushing trio of Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb, and Chop Robinson, and a healthy quarterback in Tua Tagovailoa, and those players' health could make or break Miami's season.
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However, the Dolphins are still volatile at the cornerback position and could use a talented veteran addition to solidify the unit.
The culture question in Miami seemingly will fall on McDaniel's shoulders in 2025, but if the players on the field don't produce a playoff run in 2025, Grier's future with the Dolphins could be coming to an end.
Related: Dolphins Blasted for Jalen Ramsey Trade With Steelers
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
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