JANUARY 2: While Shore will play a major role in the Dolphins’ GM search, but ownership will be “leading the search,” per Jackson. That will leave the team’s final decision up to Ross, and he may very well be steering the process based on his perceptions about current candidates.
JANUARY 1: The Dolphins parted ways with former general manager Chris Grier back on Halloween and seem to have kept their attention on finishing out this season. Senior personnel executive Champ Kelly has been relied on as the interim general manager since then, reprising a role he also played in Las Vegas. While we’ve heard that there’s already plenty of interest in the job, at the moment, the only person known to be a candidate is Kelly. 
While résumés are probably being collected and names evaluated, there have been no reports before today that showed the search was underway. To that effort, according to a breaking report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Hall of Fame quarterback and current ESPN analyst Troy Aikman has been hired by Dolphins team owner Stephen Ross to consult on the search for their new general manager. The three-time Super Bowl champion will not have to relinquish his ESPN contract, though, as the advising role is a temporary one only meant to last through the process of the search.
Several networks contributed to this report. Shortly after Schefter broke the seal, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated added that Aikman has already been active in the role, making “calls around the league to research candidates” and discussing “strategy with Miami ownership.” Tom Pelissero of NFL Network chimed in, as well, clarifying that Aikman “is not considered a candidate for the job” despite having “mused in the past about becoming a GM himself.” Adding to the responsibilities listed by Breer, Pelissero mentioned that Aikman “is doing background work ahead of interviews next week.” Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald also contributed, adding that Aikman will also “sit in on interviews” and “discuss candidates with Ross.”
Grier had been with the Dolphins since 2000, when he started as a scout and worked his way up to assistant director of college scouting in 2003, director of college scouting in 2007, and general manager in 2016. Having a mind that’s been in the building since 2000 running the personnel show since 2016, Ross thought it was important to gain some outside perspective. With Grier being an interior hire, the team has not “run a full GM search since they hired Dennis Hickey in 2014,” according to Pelissero. Per Schefter, Aikman’s time as an NFL player and broadcaster over the past 37 years equipped him with the respected perspective and strong relationships across the league that Miami was looking for in the consulting position.
The idea of getting outside help is certainly not a foreign one. Two years ago, the Commanders utilized former Golden State Warriors executive Bob Myers in their coaching and GM searches; though, unlike Aikman, Myers stayed with the team after the searches were complete. Last year, Jets owner Woody Johnson employed former Dolphins executives Mike Tannenbaum and Rick Spielman in New York’s coaching and GM searches. We’ve also seen teams utilize consulting firms for searches.
The process of hiring Aikman has seemingly been underway for weeks, even before he called the Dolphins’ game against the Steelers three weeks ago, per Jackson. In his commentary for that contest, Aikman was complimentary of head coach Mike McDaniel‘s playcalling, though he questioned the offense’s fourth-quarter pace. Per Jackson, these comments don’t have any effect on McDaniel’s future, as Aikman’s consulting role is limited strictly to the general manager role. Jackson added that Ross still has faith in McDaniel and that it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the head coach return in 2026 with the new GM, but no final decision has been made.
Per NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe, Ross is looking for reasons to keep McDaniel as he weathers the end of the season without quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Ownership wants to see McDaniel reidentify himself and his offense outside of Tagovailoa, who may still be on the roster next year, though the team will explore trading him to relieve themselves of the guaranteed money he’s tied to. Regardless, a new quarterback is expected to at least be competing with Tagovailoa for the starting job next year, and Ross wants to know McDaniel can establish success without him, if necessary.
For the general manager search, per Breer, the Dolphins have already done significant homework — Jackson phrased it, “laying the groundwork” — researching candidates since parting ways with Grier and “plan to hit the ground running on their GM search early next week,” after their 2025 season has officially concluded. NFL teams cannot interview candidates currently working in executive roles with other NFL teams until the regular season concludes anyway. Aikman’s services were uniquely attractive due to the relationships he has with his connections around the league due to his weekly Monday Night Football assignments, on which Pelissero says he “can lean on to gather info and shape the search.”
After the drama surrounding Raiders minority owner Tom Brady and his own access through the media, it will be interesting to see if any objections arise about Aikman’s participation in the search. Knowing that he’s been involved with the Dolphins since at least before Week 15, that means he’s worked games involving the Falcons, Colts, Rams, Steelers, and 49ers since then and will also work with the Seahawks and whatever playoff teams participate in the wild card and second-round playoff games Aikman is assigned to. If any interview candidates come from these teams, conflict of interest concerns may arise from Aikman’s work with the franchises as a representative of ESPN. 
Jackson did confirm that Kelly is expected to receive an interview, but the team is planning for the search to be a thorough one examining a wide range of candidates. In regard to what the Dolphins are looking for out of a potential GM, Pelissero stresses that their focus is on a strong scouting background. Jackson followed that comment up by underlining how much Miami values senior vice president of football and business administration Brandon Shore, whom they see “as someone skilled with the salary cap and other business-oriented aspects that are critical in a modern-day NFL front office.”
According to Wolfe, Shore is “expected to be the quarterback” of the search. Wolfe claims Shore’s role may become something similar to that of Rams team president Kevin Demoff, allowing him to handle the money while the new GM handles personnel decisions like scouting and the fates of McDaniel and Tagovailoa.
Aikman isn’t the only Hall of Fame passer on the search team. Wolfe mentions that Dolphins special advisor Dan Marino will also be involved in interviews. Aikman’s services were sought in addition to Marino’s because his experience is a bit more league-wide. Though Shore is quarterbacking the search that involves two Hall of Fame quarterbacks, ultimately, the decision on the who the next GM will be comes down to Ross. The search will hit the ground running Monday.
Interesting I guess
Why though? Because he had success when the NFL was 3 yards and a cloud of dust. This seems so stupid.
Most likely the owner personally knows Aikman, he knows Aikman knows more about football than him, and he plans a clean sweep of the organization so does not want to rely on anyone currently in the organization who is likely going to be fired and is responsible for the current state.
In his current position, he has likely also chatted with every GM currently in the league as well as many assistants, so he has at least some personal knowledge about many possible candidates…both good and bad.
I hope he recommends Skip Bayless…
“After an exhaustive search, the person Troy Aikman recommends is Troy Aikman.”
-Troy Aikman
“Yes, it’s true that Ryan Fitzpatrick has more TD passes, but Troy Aikman has more superbowls.”
– Also Troy Aikman
I think Troy is actually a pretty good analyst.
But take a couple of minutes and look at career stats. He is pretty overrated as a player – even in the 90s. He benefits from the surrounding cast more than most.
He is overrated, but clutch in big games. He grew with the team and didnt trust many receivers other than Irvin, Novacek and Kelvin Martin. By the time he trusted Alvin Harper, Harper jumped at free agency. The team let go of Jimmy Smith, who thrived with Jax
Hes gon̈na recommend bars and how many drinks will get one kicked out
at least it gives phins fans a scapegoat if things don’t get better
Why?
Future headline: Dolphins hire Mark Stepnoski, Jay Novacek, Danny Stubbs, Tony Tolbert, and Alvin Harper as co-GMs, at the behest of Troy Aikman
I have confusion
A very good GM candidate would be Reggie McKenzie who was turning the Raiders around before getting thrown under the bus by Gruden. The Dolphins actually had him in their organization a couple of years ago. I think he is with the Titans organization now but perhaps he could be convinced to return to Miami.
Interesting thought. Wasn’t Reggie learning his trade from Ozzie Newsome? Might be wrong about that. Another interesting name might be Ian Cunningham from the Bears who I’m surprised hasn’t got more run being from the Howie Roseman tree. At one point I thought the Bears might have had those 2 positions backwards. As far as Troy Aikman knowing anything makes as much sense as Tom Brady knowing anything. None. Raiders are already talking about losing his first 2 hires after one year. Making you an advisor Lemon makes more sense to me.
He spent quite a few years with the packers and Ron Wolf.
I beleive he is a current vp of the Titans.
As a Bears fan, being selfish, I don’t want to see Cunningham leave. It’s pretty well documented around Chicago sports media that Cunningham talked Poles out of some potentially bad choices. There are also reported cases where Poles went against Cunningham’s recommendations and likely set the Bears back two steps. Would like to see the Bears give Poles a bump up (VP Operations) and make Cunningham the GM in effort to keep him around.
Fred- Maybe. But now it’s more Poles and Johnson with maybe Cunningham being on the outside. With Warren, Poles and Johnson seeming to be locked in, I’m not sure Ian fits anymore. I suppose it all depends on how many of Johnson’s coaches get poached. With Randle El, Bienemy, Doyle around seems like there are plenty of brains around to pick on for the draft and Free Agency. Cunningham deserves a shot for somebody.
Yep! Your breakdown is logical. Again, just being a selfish Bears fan. On the outside looking in it always appeared to me that Cunningham is the guy in place that has no problem challenging Poles and disagreeing. All organizations need that. I’d be sorry to see him leave but ultimately he deserves a shot to run things.
Troy is going rub all 4 of his brain cells together and come up with a plan for them.
Y’all can’t see the forest for the trees … has Jerry Jones spoken with Aikman about what the Dallas Cowboys need in order to win another Super Bowl?
Even if Aikman had the formula (other than a Time Machine), Jerry wouldn’t listen………
I sure wish I had a hot tub time machine.
So the dolphins are pulling out all the stops to continue to be a clown shoes organization..?
The “clown shoes organization” is about a thousand miles to the north of Miami and has its practice site along Route 3 near the stadium.