Miami Dolphins commit to Mike McDaniel and Chris Grier for another season

In the United States, the Miami Dolphins concluded their NFL season with a disappointing 32-20 loss to the New York Jets on January 5, 2025. This result led to the Dolphins finishing the season with a record of 8-9, which fell short of their playoff aspirations. Following the game, Stephen Ross, the owner of the Miami Dolphins, publicly supported head coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier, announcing that both would return for the next season. Ross emphasized the importance of stability within the organization while also acknowledging that a hard look would be taken to analyze areas of underperformance. The Dolphins embarked on the 2024 season with hopes of contending for the AFC East title, but a poor start at 2-6 severely impacted their chances. Despite a late-season attempt to salvage the playoffs, their efforts were thwarted when the Denver Broncos clinched the final playoff spot while Miami was still in action. In light of these events, Ross's statement aimed to reassure fans and stakeholders about the direction of the Dolphins heading into 2025. He acknowledged the significance of McDaniel and Grier's working relationship and expressed confidence in their abilities to guide the team. McDaniel, who has a record of 28-23 in his three years with Miami, has faced challenges but remains optimistic about the future. He communicated his expectations for continuing in his role and emphasized the need for improvement following a disappointing season. Grier has been part of the football operations for several years and has worked alongside McDaniel to build the team. Ross noted that while he supports their leadership, he also understands the necessity for change and improvement moving forward. The Dolphins are in a crucial phase as they seek to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2021. This will require identifying weaknesses from the past season and implementing strategies to overcome them. The combination of a new approach under McDaniel and Grier, backed by Ross's commitment to support their leadership, sets the stage for the Dolphins in 2025 as they strive to build a competitive and winning team. The statement by Ross not only reinforced confidence in the current leadership but also highlighted the accountability he feels as the owner, emphasizing his commitment to improving the organization for future successes.