The Miami Dolphins entered the 2025 offseason needing to stabilize a shaky foundation. Pressure on general manager Chris Grier has only intensified as the team continued to don the thorny crown of the longest active playoff win drought. With major holes to patch, a bloated salary cap, and growing discontent from the fan base, this offseason was supposed to be a course correction.
Instead, it raised more questions than answers. From questionable quarterback depth behind Tua Tagovailoa to key veterans walking out the door, Miami’s front office decisions failed to inspire much optimism. While there were a few bright spots in free agency and the draft, the overall roster construction reflects more scrambling than strategy.
Not Quite Dead Last, But Close: Miami Dolphins’ Offseason Strategy Under Fire — And So Is Chris Grier
In PFSN’s annual offseason grades, the Dolphins were handed a D+, narrowly avoiding the bottom spot held by the New Orleans Saints. The grade reflects what analyst Brandon Austin called “a muddled plan” that leaves Miami exposed at key positions.
“The Miami Dolphins’ 8-9 record was a disappointment, but injuries played a role in their struggles,” Austin wrote. “With that being said, the team doesn’t appear to be in much better shape heading into the new season than it was entering the offseason.”
Miami’s additions — including QB Zach Wilson, WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, G James Daniels, and a handful of role players — didn’t fully offset the departure of major contributors like safety Jevón Holland, running back Raheem Mostert, and offensive tackle Terron Armstead. The Dolphins did address the trenches through the draft with Jonah Savaiinaea and Kenneth Grant, both potential Year 1 starters, but as Austin noted, “The rest of the class comes with question marks around how much they can contribute early on.”
We have signed QB Zach Wilson.
Welcome to the 305, Zach! 🌴 pic.twitter.com/OAf4ORrMwE
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins)
There’s also concern about the quarterback room. “With a healthy Tua Tagovailoa, this offense has the potential to rebound in 2025,” Austin explained. “However, given his injury history, one would expect Miami to have a better contingency plan at backup quarterback than Zach Wilson and a rookie Quinn Ewers.”
Even the positive moves came with limits. While Daniels and Westbrook-Ikhine were solid pickups, Miami’s cap constraints prevented them from pursuing higher-impact talent. The Dolphins’ offseason, in short, felt reactive, and the front office didn’t do enough to calm the waters.
That puts Grier in a familiar position: Under fire.
Now entering his ninth season as general manager, Grier acknowledged the pressure during an April press conference. “We see how many people are calling for me to get fired after a season like that,” he said. “It’s just the nature of the beast.”
The calls are growing louder, and the clock is ticking. Miami hasn’t won a playoff game since 2000, and patience is wearing thin. “I feel pressure every year to win,” Grier admitted. “If you don’t have the pressure and want to win this year, then you’re in the wrong business.”
Barring a deep postseason run, this could be the final chapter in Grier’s long Miami tenure. The 2025 season will determine whether he’s building for the future — or cleaning out his office.