ESPN Analyst Thinks There Could Be More to the Firing of Dolphins’ G.M.
The Miami Dolphins got embarrassed on the football field again, this time losing to the Baltimore Ravens 28-6 on Thursday Night Football. While many have suspected that this loss would cost head coach Mike McDaniel his job, it didn’t and it won’t (for right now).
However, general manager Chris Grier did pay the price as he and the team mutually decided to part company.
“This morning, I made the decision along with general manager Chris Grier to mutually part ways. I have incredible respect for Chris and his family, and I want to thank him for his many contributions to the Miami Dolphins over the last 26 years,” Dolphins owner
“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. 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.”
Stephen A. Smith thinks Grier’s firing could have racial overtones
Grier has been with the Dolphins organization since 2000 and has been the general manager since 2016. During that time, the Dolphins haven’t won a playoff game. They haven’t won a playoff game since 2000, so it actually extends all the way back to his entire tenure with the team.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith thinks that there could be more to Grier’s termination.
“This is BS. That’s the first fire? Really? That’s what we’re doing?’ It was about Tua [Tagovailoa]. It was about Mike McDaniel. And the brother gets fired first?” Smith said on ESPN’s First Take.
“I’m not saying that he don’t deserve it because of the way they look. You’re at the helm, I got it. I understand it. I’m all for brothers as head coaches and GMs. We know what battles I’ve been fighting for over 30 years. I got it.
“But when you don’t get the job done, you don’t get the damn job done. I got it. Don’t tell me it’s just him. Don’t tell me we gonna leave Mike McDaniel in place, and we’re just gonna fire him and we’re gonna move that. Damn that. I’m waiting for more news. I can’t defend Chris Grier. … But I’ll be damned if it gets to stop there. Oh, hell no.”
Champ Kelly will take Grier’s place
In Grier’s nine and a half years as general manager, the Dolphins had a 77-80 record with three playoff appearances in 2016, 2022 and 2023 and lost in the first round each time. They’ve missed on a lot of draft picks and overspent on too many free agents.
Champ Kelly, the Dolphins’ senior personnel executive, will take over as the interim general manager.
Dan Campbell’s brutally honest assessment of Lions should scare rest of NFL
The Detroit Lions have been one of the best teams in the NFL this season. Even after losing both of their coordinators this offseason, Detroit seemingly hasn't lost a step. They come out of their bye week with a 5-2 record, scoring key wins against some of the top contenders in the process.
If the Lions are to be believed, they still aren't playing to their full potential. Head coach Dan Campbell believes that Detroit still has another gear this season. The Lions HC said that they could stand to be better at playing complementary football over the course of the season.
“I really believe we haven't played our best ball yet collectively in all three phases,” Campbell said, per Eric Woodyard of ESPN. “And that's really what we're trying to get to here is how can we sharpen ourselves. We know it's going to take every phase. Every game's different, and one unit may have to pick up the slack, but we need to start playing complete ball across the board. And just keep improving — like with all these teams that we're in the race with right now. So, that's where we're at.”
The Lions have highlighted four key areas for improvement during their bye week. That includes their third-down efficiency on both sides of the ball. Detroit is ranked 22nd in third-down conversion rate this season with just 37.7%, far below their 47% rate last season. On the other side, they're allowing a similar third-down conversion rate on defense, which is higher than their 32.5% rate last year.
The two other areas that the Lions focused on during the bye week are their red zone defense and Jameson Williams' involvement on offense. While Detroit's defense has been generally solid this season, it's allowing a whopping 63.6% of its opponents' red zone trips to end in a touchdown. On the other hand, Williams has had an up-and-down season thanks in large part to his fluctuating target rate. Detroit's offense is at its best when the threat of Jamo downfield opens up the rest of the offense. Finding ways to get him in space is going to be crucial for this team moving forward.
The Lions open the second half of their season with a matchup against the Minnesota Vikings at home. Will Detroit apply what they've installed during the bye week in their next games?
