Dolphins, GM Chris Grier Part Ways; HC Mike McDaniel To Finish Season
After more than two decades with the Dolphins, general manager Chris Grier is out. The sides are mutually parting ways, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.
Grier had been in place as Miami’s GM since 2016 but had only held full autonomy since 2019. Both he and Mike McDaniel were believed to be on shaky ground this season, and a 2-7 start will lead the veteran front office boss out of the picture. The Dolphins are retaining McDaniel through season’s end, according to Schefter.
[RELATED: Fallout From Dolphins’ Grier-McDaniel Split]
“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 past 26 years,” Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said.
“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.”
Former Raiders interim GM Champ Kelly is back in that role, per Schefter. The Dolphins installing Kelly as their interim FO boss comes at a key point. He will be at the wheel as the Dolphins consider selling key pieces from their struggling team. Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb are known trade candidates, and it is worth wondering if this shakeup will lead to the Dolphins listening on Jaylen Waddle — something they have not been doing thus far ahead of the Tuesday deadline.
The Dolphins had been viewed as reluctant to sell thus far, with NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero indicating the team had brushed off trade calls in hopes of a turnaround. With Grier and McDaniel clinging to their jobs ahead of Week 9, the Dolphins stood in a curious position at the deadline. With decision-makers having no incentive to make the team worse, the team had held off. It can be expected, with Kelly having far looser ties to the roster, the Dolphins will be more open for business now.
Grier hired McDaniel in 2022, doing so after the Dolphins chose their GM over HC Brian Flores — in a firing that preceded a highly publicized lawsuit from the three-year Miami sideline boss. But the duo was not viewed as a package deal heading into this season. Grier had made a host of shaky contract decisions in recent years, and while McDaniel is also on the hot seat, the HC will survive for the time being.
The 55-year-old exec had been with the Dolphins since 2000, having come up through the scouting ranks. The Dolphins hired Grier after a six-year tenure with the Patriots. In 2016, the team promoted him to the GM level. But Mike Tannenbaum still held the hammer as executive VP. That changed after the 2018 season, as Grier’s promotion keyed Tannenbaum’s exit.
A radical rebuild — one that came with tanking allegations from Flores against Ross — commenced that year, with the Dolphins trading Ryan Tannehill, Laremy Tunsil and Minkah Fitzpatrick. Grier’s overhaul did generate some success, but the next phase of that rebuild began to move the roster to its present state. With Ross’ statement making it rather clear Grier would have preferred to remain in his position, it is worth reexamining how this operation moved into this place.
While 2020 No. 5 overall pick Tua Tagovailoa — chosen one spot ahead of Justin Herbert — has been productive in stretches, the team has not seen its $53.1MM-per-year extension for the southpaw quarterback pay off. Grier’s 2022 trade for Bradley Chubb — the rare deadline move to involve a first-round pick changing hands — also preceded an injury that wiped out the standout edge rusher’s 2024 season. The team also did not see too much from the Jalen Ramsey trade, and Grier’s proceedings with Ramsey highlighted an interesting roster-building trend.
After rewarding Xavien Howard with an extension in his first offseason with full roster control, Grier gave into the Pro Bowl cornerback’s demands. Howard received a guarantee bump in 2021 and then another extension in 2022, despite years remaining on his previous accord. That created a lofty dead money bill when the Dolphins cut Howard in 2024. Miami is still on the hook for nearly $16MM in Howard dead cap this year, and the team’s decision to operate similarly with Ramsey will create notable 2026 dead money.
A day after the Broncos reset the cornerback market with Patrick Surtain‘s extension, the Dolphins paid Ramsey (three years, $72MM). Like Howard, Ramsey had more than a year left on his previous deal. Ramsey’s Rams-designed extension ran through 2025, but Grier — who had already approved a guarantee influx upon trading for Ramsey in 2023 — authorized another early extension. That complicated the June 2025 trade. Grier proceeded down this path again with Tyreek Hill, whose gripes about a new deal — as the receiver market exploded again in 2024 — led to a $54MM guarantee package in summer 2024. Grier also extended Zach Sieler with more than a year left on his contract this summer.
The Dolphins are expected to release Hill in 2026. The polarizing wide receiver stamped his Hall of Fame credentials in Miami, rewarding Grier for surrendering a five-pick package — including a first-rounder — in 2022. But Hill did not play well after the GM paid him again in 2024. The severe knee injury Hill suffered this season has his career at a crossroads. Ramsey counts more than $35MM in dead money between 2025 and ’26, with the extension he signed inflating that total. Hill’s release will tag the Dolphins with $28.25MM — a figure that could be spread through 2027 via a post-June 1 designation.
Grier did well to fleece the 49ers for the No. 3 overall pick in 2021, as San Francisco surrendered two first-rounders and a third to move up nine spots for Trey Lance. The Dolphins used one of the picks to climb up for Waddle in 2021. They included the other in the Hill trade. Hill’s arrival made a significant impact on Tagovailoa’s career, as the embattled QB led the NFL in yards per attempt in 2022 and in passing yards in 2023. But the southpaw’s concussion issues hindered him in 2022 and ’24. Through nine games in 2025, Tua sits 25th in QBR.
McDaniel oversaw the Dolphins’ first instance of back-to-back playoff berths since the Dave Wannstedt era, coaching the team to the postseason in 2022 and ’23. While the Dolphins’ playoff win drought leads the NFL at 24 seasons, McDaniel and Hill did plenty to coax Tagovailoa’s turnaround. The Dolphins rewarded the HC with an extension — one that runs through 2028 — before the ’24 season. Hill encountered a wrist injury before the 2024 season, and Tagovailoa went down with another concussion in Week 2. That harpooned the Dolphins’ offense, which dropped from second in scoring offense in 2023 to 22nd in ’24.
After Ramsey had taken issue with McDaniel’s leadership style, reports pointed to a lack of accountability under he and Grier. Hill famously refusing to return to action in Week 18 of last season became the image associated with these assertions, and while McDaniel said he spoke with the mercurial pass catcher about that act, Hill remained in place as Miami’s WR1 — after walking back his trade desire — entering this season. Tagovailoa also recently apologized for criticizing teammates for missing meetings or showing up late to them, further leading to the perception a lack of institutional control exists under McDaniel.
The Dolphins went 8-9 last season under McDaniel, whose performance through three seasons had been the best of any Miami HC since Wannstedt more than 20 years ago. His 2-7 start this season, however, certainly points to a firing at the campaign’s conclusion — or sooner.
It will be interesting to see if Ross gives McDaniel a chance to succeed without Grier, as his offensive acumen became clear — even with the team developing an earned frontrunner reputation, with late-season swoons taking place in 2022 and ’23 — during this tenure. McDaniel would surely be a coveted OC if the Dolphins move on following this season. Considering a new GM will be en route by then, McDaniel certainly faces an uphill battle to coach a fifth season in Miami.
The team hired Kelly as a senior personnel executive in March. This came after the Raiders split with the veteran exec, as they retooled their front office once again this offseason. Kelly served as interim GM in 2023 but was retained under Tom Telesco in 2024. The Raiders considered Kelly for the job Telesco received, and Kelly has taken part in GM interviews elsewhere. His work at the trade deadline figures to help determine where he lands in 2026 — should the Dolphins fully clean house at that point.
Eagles Could Address Pass Rush Before Trade Deadline
Since the start of training camp, the Eagles have already made seven trades as part of their efforts to repeat as Super Bowl champions, and according to multiple NFL sources, if a front office phone is ringing, chances are high that general manager Howie Roseman is on the other end looking for more. Atop the NFC East by 2.5 games with top performers at multiple positions, there is one area at which Philadelphia could see serious improvement. 
Per Zach Berman of The Athletic, “the obvious spot to watch” in Philadelphia is edge rusher. After losing top sack-getter Josh Sweat to free agency in the offseason, filling out the edge has been a focus of the front office. The Eagles didn’t sign a single multi-year deal in free agency but still added a few potential high-ceiling names in Joshua Uche, Azeez Ojulari, and Ogbo Okoronkwo. There were quite a few options in the draft, as well, and the team made an intriguing selection on Day 1, trading up a single spot to draft Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell.
In overall team rankings, Philadelphia has been pretty middle-of-the-road with its overall pass rush. Per Pro Football Reference, the Eagles’ 16 sacks are tied for 19th in the league, and the defense is 17th in overall pressures with 58. Many of these are not coming from the edge, though. Making up 10 of the team’s 16 sacks, are two defensive tackles, Moro Ojomo (4.0) and Jordan Davis (3.0), and inside linebacker Zack Baun (3.0). The team leader in quarterback hits is defensive tackle Jalen Carter (9), and Ojomo (6) is third on the team with Davis (4) and Baun (4) tying for fourth.
Second-year pass rusher Jalyx Hunt ranks second on the team in quarterback hits with eight, but he’s only amassed one sack in the first half of his sophomore campaign. Uche has spent the second-most time on the edge behind Hunt, but he, too, only has one sack to his name while only accounting for three quarterback hits. Okoronkwo suffered a triceps tear that may have ended his season after only four snaps in his only game of the year. Finally, third-year edge rusher Nolan Smith, who started three games across from Hunt to start the season, only tallied one quarterback hit while failing to notch a sack before landing on injured reserve with a pectoral injury.
The Eagles had also signed veteran pass rusher Za’Darius Smith, who still leads the position group with 1.5 sacks despite suddenly retiring a little over two weeks ago. Retirement giveth and taketh, though, as on the heels of Smith’s retirement, long-time Eagles veteran Brandon Graham came out of retirement to sign back on with the team. Graham may be more of a culture builder or locker room presence, though, considering his final two seasons in Philadelphia paled in comparison to his career-best 2022 campaign.
The rookie Campbell is an intriguing option at the position, as well. The 21-year-old came out of high school and started his career with the Crimson Tide as an edge rusher, only moving to off-ball linebacker due to injuries at the position. He played the 2023 season almost exclusively in that role but found more versatility in where he lined up throughout his final year with the team, spending increased time in his original position.
Due to this experience, there was a good amount of speculation in how he would be used in the NFL. It seemed early on that the Eagles would be willing to entertain his usage at both positions, but they started him as an off-ball linebacker, and he earned a starting role. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Campbell has excelled in the role, ranking as the team’s second-best defender and the sixth-highest graded linebacker in the NFL, so it doesn’t appear likely he’ll be moving positions.
Hence why Berman has identified the position as one the team may target in the trade market. If they do move on a pass rusher, though, they can’t make any more small moves. They’ll need to target players who can move the needle as a consistent defensive presence. Berman is one of several reporters who have identified the Dolphins as a franchise Roseman should reach out to, along with Ralph Vacchiano of FOX Sports. Specifically, edge rushers Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips were identified as targets in Miami.
Both player’s careers have ebbed and flowed as injuries have taken a toll on their consistent outputs. Chubb logged a career-high 12.0 sacks as a rookie in 2018 and didn’t see double digits again until he tallied 11.0 in his first full year in Miami. Chubb missed the entire 2024 campaign with a torn ACL but has looked strong this year with four sacks and seven quarterback hits. He has no guaranteed money left on his contract after this year, so he makes perfect sense as a half-year rental that may become a cap casualty after that.
After two strong seasons to start his career, Phillips was on pace for a 14.0-sack season in 2023 before tearing his Achilles tendon after eight games. Season-ending knee surgery would cut off his 2024 campaign after half as many games. Phillips has rebounded decently, as well, though, logging three sacks and seven quarterback hits so far this year. Phillips in currently playing out the fifth-year option of his rookie deal and could leave the team in free agency, with Miami getting nothing in return.
The Eagles aren’t the only ones interested in Chubb and Phillips, though. According to Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network, multiple teams have reached out with significant interest in the oft-injured pass rushing pair. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated added recently that veteran pass rusher Matt Judon, wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick have also been points of order on phone calls.
Per Breer, Miami has been steadfast in telling the team’s inquiring about Waddle “no” in no uncertain terms. He believes the team “may be more receptive” on Fitzpatrick, though. For the pass rushers, Wolfe claims the Dolphins’ front office has been hesitant, but with the trade deadline looming, their grip may loosen a bit. The asking price for Phillips is thought to be at least a third-rounder. There was some thought that, with general manager Chris Grier parting ways with the organization this morning, a fire sale of assets may take place, but interim general manager Champ Kelly is thought to be auditioning for a full-time role, so he’ll still be fairly strategic and judicial with any trade talks that take place, per CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones.
The Eagles are eager to deal, though. With an expectation of up to three compensatory draft picks in their future, there’s a chance Philadelphia could be sitting on 10 picks for the 2026 NFL Draft. Roseman is reportedly unafraid to trade those picks, and there’s even speculation players like wide receiver A.J. Brown and running back AJ Dillon could be available in packages, as well. Even if the Dolphins are playing hard ball with their most sought-after assets, the Eagles may be willing to play ball en route to a chance at back-to-back championships.
Dolphins-Chris Grier Fallout: McDaniel, Waddle, Replacement Candidates
Chris Grier‘s lengthy tenure with the Dolphins – including a GM run dating back to 2016 – has come to an end. It remains to be seen if head coach Mike McDaniel will remain in the organization past the end of this season, but that is a possibility at this point. 
Owner Stephen Ross “still believes in” the embattled coach, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports. That stance was confirmed by the news earlier today stating McDaniel will continue in his role through the end of the campaign. His performance over the coming weeks will in large part dictate whether or change on the sidelines will be made as well. Per Jackson, McDaniel has made a number of small changes in his approach over the past two weeks, including more one-on-one time being spent with players.
As Jackson adds, Ross is evaluating everything in the organization at this time. With respect to the front office, interim GM Champ Kelly will look to earn the full-time position while the fate of McDaniel (who landed an extension last offseason) will continue to be a talking point as the campaign winds down. Last night’s loss dropped Miami to 2-7 on the year, making the team an interesting one to watch ahead of next week’s trade deadline.
Several notable players have long been connected to trade interest, especially given the Dolphins’ struggles in 2025. Jaylen Waddle is among them, although it would come as a surprise if a deal were to be worked out on that front. Indeed, Grier was insistent on keeping the 26-year-old, SNY’s Connor Hughes reports. That was certainly a reasonable approach given Waddle’s importance to the Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill-less passing game. Now, though, the decision to part ways with Grier could open the door to more trades taking place than otherwise would have.
The timing of this move is intriguing since it comes just before the deadline. CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reports some around the NFL were surprised by the fact Grier’s run ended at this point of the season. He adds, on the other hand, the longtime executive was increasingly “feeling the pressure” with respect to his job security as the campaign progressed, meaning today’s news does not come entirely as a shock.
Kelly has until Tuesday afternoon to make a final decision on trades. In the meantime, attention will turn to his ability to earn the full-time gig while outside candidates receive consideration during the 2026 hiring cycle. With respect to potential general manager hires, Jones lists Alec Halaby (Eagles), Ed Dodds (Colts), Ian Cunningham (Bears), Glenn Cook (Browns), Jon-Eric Sullivan (Packers) and Lance Newmark (Commanders) as names to watch. Each of those executives have been connected to GM vacancies in recent years and at least most of them no doubt will be again in 2026. Connections to Miami’s opening will be worth watching for as the hiring cycle takes shape.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/30/25
Today’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: DT Taven Bryan, S Keondre Jackson
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed from practice squad: LB Joe Giles-Harris
Los Angeles Chargers
- Practice window opened: LS Josh Harris
Miami Dolphins
- Activated from IR: CB Jason Marshall
- Elevated: CB Isaiah Johnson, TE Hayden Rucci
New England Patriots
- Signed off Dolphins’ practice squad: S John Saunders Jr.
Tennessee Titans
- Claimed off waivers (from 49ers): G Drew Moss
After trading safety Kyle Dugger earlier this week, the Patriots have added some depth at the position, as the team snagged John Saunders Jr. off Miami’s practice squad. The rookie went undrafted out of Ole Miss in this year’s draft, and he quickly found a job with the Dolphins. He’s spent the entire season on Miami’s taxi squad, and now he’s set to make his NFL debut with their division rivals.
Dolphins Reinstall Zach Wilson As QB2
Tua Tagovailoa‘s performance has been a bigger issue than usual health concerns this season, as the Dolphins are 2-6 and headed toward the trade deadline as a potential seller. The team’s standing has naturally invited speculation about Mike McDaniel and Chris Grier‘s Miami futures.
Fortunately for the team, Tagovailoa has stayed healthy this season. Concussion concerns engulfed the quarterback (and the Dolphins as a whole) in 2022 and ’24, and another hip injury cropped up at the end of last season. Tua’s health history made the Dolphins’ QB2 role rather important, highlighting a curious choice Grier and McDaniel made in the offseason.
[RELATED: McDaniel-Grier Not Seen As Package Deal]
On Day 1 of the legal tampering period, Miami signed Zach Wilson to a fully guaranteed one-year, $6MM deal. This came after the Broncos buried the former No. 2 overall pick as their third-stringer throughout the 2024 season. Wilson faceplanted as the Jets’ starter, being benched three times from 2022-23. Wilson also lost his Dolphins backup job to rookie Quinn Ewers last week.
Heading into tonight’s game, however, NFL.com’s Cameron Wolfe notes Wilson will be the Dolphins’ top backup once again. An ongoing practice competition led McDaniel to demote Wilson previously for Ewers, but the team has flipflopped on that change ahead of Week 9. Though, Wolfe does not make it sound like Ewers will not have another chance to climb the depth chart this season.
Wilson has yoyoed around depth charts since a November 2022 Jets benching. He has started, dropped to third string, climbed back to the QB2 level, started for the Jets again and spent a full season back at QB3 in Denver. The Broncos viewed Jarrett Stidham as a better backup for Bo Nix last season, after Wilson had participated in a three-man starter competition. Denver re-signed Stidham (two years, $12MM) shortly before free agency, leading Wilson elsewhere. Wilson has completed 6 of 9 passes in reserve duty this season.
Considering the consequences the Jets faced for not backstopping Aaron Rodgers with a more reliable option in 2023, the Dolphins showing faith in Wilson behind one of the league’s most injury-prone QBs injected considerable risk into the equation. But the Wilson signing — for more guaranteed money than fellow 2021 first-rounders Mac Jones or Trey Lance received in free agency — showed the former top prospect still has believers around the league. That makes Ewers’ short-lived ascent more interesting, even though McDaniel said part of the reason the rookie usurped Wilson was opponent-driven. Wilson losing his job for any reason is obviously notable given his career trajectory.
Arch Manning‘s Texas predecessor was viewed as a candidate to go as high as Day 2, but he tumbled to Round 7. The three-year Longhorns starter who twice quarterbacked his team into the CFP semifinals, Ewers received his first NFL game work in Week 7. He went 5-for-8 in the Dolphins’ loss to the Browns. With Ewers profiling as a potential long-term Tagovailoa backup, it proved notable he was given an early chance to overtake Wilson — rather than learn in a true redshirt year. It will be interesting to see if the Dolphins make another switch, which would drop Wilson’s stock further ahead of another free agency try for the BYU product.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/28/25
Today’s practice squad transactions from across the NFL:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: CB AJ Woods
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: T Michael Tarquin
- Released: CB Michael Reid
Denver Broncos
- Released: OLB Garrett Nelson, WR Samori Toure
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: WR Justin Shorter
- Released: LB Brian Asamoah II
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: WR Tyler Scott
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: CB Ethan Robinson
- Placed on practice squad/injured list: CB Kendall Sheffield
Minnesota Vikings
- Released: S K’Von Wallace
New England Patriots
- Signed: RB Rushawn Baker, RB Jonathan Ward
- Placed on practice squad/injured list: RB Jashaun Corbin
New York Giants
- Signed: LB Swayze Bozeman
- Released: WR Juice Wells Jr.
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: CB Parry Nickerson
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: S Darrick Forrest
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: T Andre Dillard
- Released: T Brandon Parker
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: CB Kemon Hall, WR Hal Presley
- Released: LB Ochaun Mathis
Washington Commanders
- Released: K Matthew Wright
The Steelers have seen injuries ravage their secondary in recent weeks. They made a big move not long ago to address the position, but Forrest comes in with some additional experience, providing depth at safety.
The 49ers are letting go of Parker, a former third-round pick who failed to find success with the Raiders, in order to make room for Dillard, a former first-round pick who failed to ever establish himself as a full-time starter in the NFL. Dillard spent the offseason with San Francisco, eventually getting released from injured reserve with an injury settlement. He’s been a free agent ever since and now signs his first ever practice squad deal.
After getting signed to the Commanders’ practice squad to fill in for an injured Matt Gay last night, Wright returns to free agency. In a low-scoring Sunday night affair, Wright made his only kick — a single extra point attempt.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/28/25
Here are Tuesday’s minor NFL moves as the headlines are taken up by bigger names due to the impending trade deadline:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: DT Tommy Akingbesote
Carolina Panthers
- Signed off 49ers’ practice squad: OLB Trevis Gipson
- Waived: DT Jaden Crumedy
Chicago Bears
- Activated from IR: DE Austin Booker
- Placed on IR: DL Shemar Turner (story)
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on IR: LB Shaka Heyward, C Matt Lee
- Released: DT Mike Pennel
Denver Broncos
- Activated from commissioners/suspended list: LB Dre Greenlaw
- Released: QB Sam Ehlinger
Los Angeles Chargers
- Practice window opened: CB Deane Leonard
Los Angeles Rams
- Released: CB Tre Brown
Miami Dolphins
- Placed on IR: CB Storm Duck (story)
New York Giants
- Claimed off waivers (from Browns): CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse
- Placed on IR: RB Cam Skattebo (story)
New York Jets
- Waived: WR Brandon Smith
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Waived (with injury settlement): DT Domenique Davis
Tennessee Titans
- Signed off Packers’ practice squad: CB Micah Robinson
- Signed off Patriots’ practice squad: OLB Truman Jones
- Placed on IR: OLB Ali Gaye
The Bengals cleared out a few roster spots today as Heyward will need about four weeks to work his way back from a hairline fracture in his fibula. Pennel, a 12-year veteran on the interior defensive line, had started to cede his defensive snaps to younger options and found himself falling down the depth chart despite appearing in every game this season. He requested his release from the team, and it was granted.
Similar to when San Francisco brought Greenlaw back from injured reserve, the 49ers are releasing Ehlinger to make room on the 53-man roster. Like last time, the plan is for Ehlinger to remain in Denver via an addition to the practice squad tomorrow.
Dolphins Unlikely To Make Several Trades
Sunday’s win improved Miami’s 2025 record to 2-6. It would still come as no surprise if the team were to adopt a seller’s stance ahead of next week’s deadline.
A number of Dolphins players have been floated as trade candidates recently. At least one move could of course be in store, especially in the case of a rental. A firesale should not be expected, however. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald confirms the team has communicated to potential buyers there will not be a clearing out of the Dolphins’ roster over the coming days.
Edge rushers Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb have been the most talked-about options in terms of targets on the trade front. Interest will no doubt continue to be shown on both fronts, with any trade being viewed as a rental in each case. It would come as no surprise if the Dolphins were to retain at least one member of that tandem, but even if both remain in place another EDGE deal could be in store.
Matt Judon has recently been mentioned as a trade target, and NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports (via Jackson) that remains the case. Signed not long before the start of the campaign, Judon has made seven appearances to date but he was also a healthy scratch prior to playing in Week 8. The four-time Pro Bowler has made just eight tackles in 2025 without recording a sack.
Judon’s snap share sits at 32% this season, which marks the lowest usage rate of his career. A change of scenery before the November 4 deadline would not be expected to result in a major uptick in workload for the 33-year-old, but he could still offer contending teams with valuable depth along the edge. Judon is a pending free agent, and taking on the remainder of his $1.5MM salary would not be a challenge in the event a trade were to be worked out.
Regardless of what happens on the Judon front, a relatively quiet approach to the deadline appears to be in store for the Dolphins. Questions about the franchise’s future on the sidelines and in the front office will linger if the team lands short of the postseason once more in 2025, but many of Miami’s key players appear to be on track to remain in place through the remainder of the campaign.
Dolphins CB Storm Duck Out For Season
The Dolphins’ secondary has been dealt another blow on the injury front. Storm Duck was carted off the field yesterday and he will not return in 2025. 
Duck’s knee injury will sideline him for the remainder of the campaign, head coach Mike McDaniel announced on Monday (via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald). The second-year cover man had been handling a rotational role on defense in 2025, as he had during his rookie campaign. A lengthy rehab process is now in store, however.
Miami released Kendall Fuller this offseason before trading away Jalen Ramsey. Those moves ensured new starters would be in place at the cornerback spot, but injuries at that position have piled up over the course of 2025. Kader Kohou and Artie Burns each suffered ACL tears during the summer, creating the need for further secondary depth leading up to the campaign.
Other injuries have since occurred which have left the unit in an even more unenviable situation. Adding Duck to the list of unavailable options will further limit the available corners for Miami moving forward. To this point in the season, the Dolphins have fared relatively well in allowing 199 passing yards per game (good for 11th in the NFL). Maintaining that level of play will be more difficult in the wake of another absence, though.
As a former UDFA, Duck is on the books through the 2026 campaign. He could reprise his role as a part-time defensive and special teams contributor upon returning to full health next season, something which would of course be key in determining his financial future beyond that point. Depending on how the team proceeds in the secondary, however, the 24-year-old’s injury situation could leave on him the outside looking in with respect to a 2026 roster spot.
Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill Uncertain To Continue Playing Career
Shortly after Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill suffered a severe, season-ending knee injury in Week 4, his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, indicated his client would seek to continue his playing career in 2026. The player himself seems less certain.
Hill, 31, recently appeared on the podcast hosted by Terron Armstead, his former Miami teammate. During the interview, Hill suggested he may not return to the field.
“At the end of the day, I feel like that decision [to continue playing or not] is based upon how I feel and where my mindset is at the moment,” Hill said (via the Associated Press). “I’m happy with the career that I’ve had. I love playing football. I love it, but it takes a lot. It takes a lot on you mentally, it takes a lot on you physically.”
Before the injury, Hill’s contract situation and the Dolphins’ status as presumptive deadline sellers made the eight-time Pro Bowler an obvious trade candidate, though a new round of domestic violence allegations complicated his value. Even if he remained healthy and stayed on Miami’s roster beyond the deadline, he was likely to be released in the offseason.
A post-injury report confirmed the Dolphins are expected to move on from Hill before the third day of the 2026 league year, at which point $11MM of his $29.9MM salary will become guaranteed, along with a $5MM roster bonus. Assuming Miami does cut bait, Hill’s free agent stock – should he be medically cleared and if he chooses to keep playing – will be undermined by his age, injury, and off-field baggage.
He did not offer a timeline as to when he will make his decision.
“I’m at the point now where I need to have a conversation with mom, family, everybody,” he said. “Wherever my mind is at the time, the decision will be made, but I know right now, I haven’t had time to live in the moment. … I just want to be in this moment with my family. I don’t want to make any rash decisions.”
As part of a prolific, HOF-worthy on-field resume, Hill has amassed 11,363 receiving yards and 95 total touchdowns, including five scores during his early-career work as a return man. He has been similarly impressive in the postseason, recording 1,212 receiving yards and seven total TDs in 15 playoff games. He has also earned just shy of $150MM from his NFL contracts, and he secured a Super Bowl ring as part of the Chiefs’ 2020 squad.
In speaking about the knee injury he sustained this season, he said, “[w]hen I got tackled, I immediately tried to get up … I’d seen that my leg was crooked. I immediately started laughing because I’ve been able to play this game for 10 years, really my entire life, and I’ve been blessed with great talents and great gifts. The amount of support I get from my family, it’s amazing. So I really wasn’t even thinking about the injury. I was thinking about the great times I’ve had playing this game.”