Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel, GM Chris Grier May Not Survive Season
Miami’s leadership appeared to be on the hot seat entering the 2025 campaign, and those seats are only getting warmer. Sources told Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda that head coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier may not survive the current season if the organization fails to turn things around.
McDaniel’s spot on the hot seat isn’t anything new. For starters, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross released a statement following the 2024 campaign that the head coach (along with the GM) would be sticking around for the 2025 season. While that statement served as a vote of confidence, it was also a clear acknowledgement that a firing was at least under consideration.
We also heard rumblings in August that McDaniel was a candidate to be the first canned coach of the 2025 campaign. An anonymous GM described the situation as a “ticking time bomb,” citing the coach’s willingness to let the likes of Jalen Ramsey and Tyreek Hill “walk all over” him.
The head coach is still attached to an extension that runs through the 2028 season. McDaniel earned that contract after guiding the Dolphins to the postseason in each of his first two seasons at the helm, including a 2023 campaign where the offense finished first in yards and second in points. Tua Tagovailoa‘s concussion issues contributed to the team’s demise in 2024, but the locker room turmoil was enough to put the offensive mastermind on the hot seat. An embarrassing loss to the Colts in Week 1 has naturally led to more whispers about the head coach’s potential ouster.
While Grier was included in Ross’s statement following the 2024 season, the GM hasn’t felt the heat as much as his head coach. This is Grier’s 10th season in his role as GM, although he didn’t get full control of the roster until 2019. The executive saw the Dolphins make the playoffs during his first season at the helm, but the team failed to return to the postseason over the next five years. After shuffling through the likes of Adam Gase and Brian Flores, the McDaniel hiring seemed to revitalize the organization. In addition to his initial HC hit, Grier got credit for some big-swing acquisitions, including Ramsey and Hill.
It didn’t take long for the executive to lose some of that goodwill. After signing Ramsey to a lucrative extension ahead of the 2024 campaign, the cornerback was traded less than a year later, and there’s still a chance Hill follows suit. The issues in the locker room can’t necessarily be attributed to the front office leader, but some other ill-advised moves (including a Tagovailoa extension that commits more than $50MM annually to the QB) have also led to Miami’s current situation. With the Dolphins failing to win a playoff game since the 2000 campaign, there’s a chance that ownership may also look to shake up their front office sooner than later.
Dolphins To Sign G Cole Strange Off Browns’ Practice Squad
Amid a rash of injuries along their offensive line, the Dolphins are signing offensive guard Cole Strange off of the the Browns’ practice squad, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Miami was already without Liam Eichenberg entering the regular season. The versatile lineman was expected to be the team’s primary backup at guard but landed on the physically unable to perform list in training camp. Eichenberg was not activated during final roster cuts and will be out for at least three more games.
The Dolphins then lost starting right guard James Daniels (pectoral) and starting right tackle Austin Jackson (toe) in Week 1. Needing depth at guard, they poached Strange from the Browns’ practice squad. He lined up at all three interior spots in the preseason and could be called upon to replace Daniels right away.
Strange, 27, was a surprise first-round pick in 2022. He started 17 games at left guard for the Patriots as a rookie but seemed to lose his job entering the 2023 season. He only started two of the team’s first six games with healthy scratches for the other four, but returned to start the next eight contests before a torn patellar tendon ended his season. Strange started the 2024 season on the PUP list and didn’t return to the field until late December. He started the last two games of the year at center.
The Patriots’ offseason coaching change and offensive line additions casted doubt on Strange’s future. Rookie Jared Wilson took over at left guard with veteran Garrett Bradbury starting at center, squeezing Strange out of the starting lineup. He couldn’t carve out a backup role and was waived during final roster cuts. The Browns then signed him to their practice squad.
The Dolphins inserted Kion Smith into Sunday’s game to replace Daniels, but Strange offers much more experience with 29 career starts under his belt. Backup center Daniel Brunskill could be another option at right guard; he has 3,300 career snaps at the position, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
Daniels is now on IR, according to NFL.com’s Cameron Wolfe. This marks the second straight season Daniels has landed on IR. An Achilles tear sustained in Week 4 of last season ended Daniels’ Steelers run. He had stayed mostly healthy during his first two seasons in Pittsburgh. While this is not believed to be a season-ending injury, Daniels being out of the mix continues a run of bad injury luck for Dolphins O-linemen. Daniels also has a guarantee vesting date to monitor in 2026. He will see $3.48MM of his 2026 base salary shift to a full guarantee on Day 3 of the 2026 league year. Returning to full strength will be key for Daniels to secure that guarantee.
Dolphins OL James Daniels, CB Storm Duck To Miss Several Weeks
As the Dolphins look to right the ship following an embarrassing season-opening loss, they’ll have to do so without a handful of key starters. According to multiple reports, it sounds like the Dolphins will be dealing with absences on both sides of the ball for at least the next few weeks.
On offense, starting guard James Daniels exited yesterday’s loss after only three offensive snaps thanks to a pec injury. According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the injury isn’t expected to end the veteran’s season, and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler notes that the lineman didn’t suffer any muscle tears. Still, Daniels will likely be out of the lineup for at least the next three to four weeks.
Daniels was making his Miami debut after inking a three-year, $24MM deal with the franchise this past offseason. A former starter with the Bears and Steelers, the lineman was limited to four games in 2024 thanks to a torn Achilles.
The offseason acquisition wasn’t the only offensive lineman to suffer an injury. According to Jackson, the Dolphins are getting opinions on Austin Jackson‘s toe injury. The right tackle got into 79 percent of his team’s offensive snaps yesterday. A former first-round pick, injuries have been a theme of Jackson’s career, as he was limited to two games in 2022 thanks to an ankle injury and eight games in 2024 thanks to a knee injury.
The injuries also apply to the defense, as Jackson notes that cornerback Storm Duck will miss several weeks after suffering an ankle injury during the second quarter of yesterday’s loss. The former UDFA was a pleasant surprise in Miami last season, where he compiled 35 tackles while starting three of his 14 appearances. He got into 29 defensive snaps yesterday before exiting the contest.
Fortunately, there is some optimism surrounding another Dolphins injury. Jackson says that tight end Darren Waller will try to suit up for this Sunday’s matchup against the Patriots. If he can’t go, then a Week 3 return against the Bills will be a realistic target. The veteran’s return from retirement has been delayed by a lingering hip injury.
2025 Offseason In Review Series
Here are PFR’s breakdowns of each NFL team’s 2025 offseason.
AFC East
AFC North
AFC South
AFC West
NFC East
NFC North
NFC South
NFC West
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/6/25
With our first slate of Sunday games tomorrow, we’ll see our first slew of standard gameday practice squad elevations. Here are today’s minor transactions:
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: WR David Sills, RB Carlos Washington Jr.
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: G Kendrick Green, K Matt Prater
Carolina Panthers
- Signed from practice squad: DT Jaden Crumedy
- Placed on IR: CB Damarri Mathis (story)
Cincinnati Bengals
- Elevated: DT Mike Pennel
Denver Broncos
- Elevated: FB Adam Prentice, LB Levelle Bailey
Detroit Lions
- Signed from practice squad: RB Jacob Saylors
- Elevated: LB Anthony Pittman
- Placed on IR: T Jamarco Jones
Green Bay Packers
- Elevated: CB Micah Robinson
Houston Texans
- Elevated: FB Jakob Johnson
Indianapolis Colts
- Elevated: LB Austin Ajiake, RB Ulysses Bentley IV
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: T Ricky Lee
Las Vegas Raiders
- Elevated: WR Alex Bachman, S Terrell Edmunds
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated: RB Cody Schrader
Miami Dolphins
- Elevated: K Riley Patterson, RB Jeff Wilson
New England Patriots
- Signed from practice squad: DT Cory Durden
- Elevated: CB Corey Ballentine, LB Mark Robinson
- Released: DT Jeremiah Pharms
New Orleans Saints
- Signed from practice squad: DE Fadil Diggs
- Elevated: TE Jack Stoll, DE Jonah Williams
- Waived: QB Jake Haener
New York Giants
- Elevated: DT Elijah Garcia
New York Jets
- Elevated: WR Tyler Johnson
- Placed on IR: G Alijah Vera-Tucker (story)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Elevated: CB James Pierre
San Francisco 49ers
- Elevated: WR Russell Gage, LB Curtis Robinson
Seattle Seahawks
- Elevated: CB Shaquill Griffin, DT Quinton Bohanna
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Elevated: DT Adam Gotsis, G Michael Jordan
Tennessee Titans
- Elevated: C Corey Levin, DT Carlos Watkins
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: C Michael Deiter, WR Chris Moore
Each NFL team is granted up to two standard gameday practice squad elevations each game, allowing them to call up two members of their practice squad who are able to play in that weekend’s game. After the game is played, the elevated players revert back to the practice squad with no transaction required. This differs from the situation with somebody like Crumedy in Carolina. With Mathis’ placement on injured reserve opening a spot on the 53-man roster, Crumedy has been promoted from the practice squad to the active roster, where he will remain until he is cut or his contract expires.
Practice squad players can be called up a maximum of three times under a single practice squad contract. If a team wants to call up a player who’s been called up three times already, the team will usually sign the player to their active roster for a game, cut them after, and then sign them to a new practice squad contract. Under the new contract, the player would be eligible to be elevated for three more games.
As the Dolphins await Jason Sanders‘ return from IR, Patterson was named the winner of a kicking audition with three other veteran kickers. Miami will be able to elevate him three times but will have to promote him to the active roster for any games between that and Sanders’ activation. Similarly, Prater will likely be on the same plan in Buffalo.
Haener’s stint on the Saints’ active roster was short-lived as the team decides to move forward with only two quarterbacks. Spencer Rattler will handle starting duties to begin the campaign with second-round rookie Tyler Shough serving as his backup.
Dolphins TE Darren Waller Unlikely To Play In Week 1
Darren Waller‘s Dolphins debut (and NFL return) is set to be delayed by at least one week. The unretired tight end encountered a setback this week, head coach Mike McDaniel said (via ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques). 
[RELATED: Reviewing Dolphins’ Offseason]
As a result, Waller is likely to miss Miami’s season opener against the Colts. A hip strain is the issue in this case, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald notes. Missed time was an issue during the latter stages of Waller’s Raiders tenure as well as his single Giants campaign; things have not gotten off to a good start with the Dolphins.
Waller was moved to the active/PUP list early this summer, but as expected he was activated late in August. That move allowed the former Pro Bowler to return to practice in preparation for his first game action since Week 18 in 2023. At least a short-term issue has now arisen, though, and it will be worth monitoring how long it will keep him sidelined.
The Dolphins included Jonnu Smith in the Jalen Ramsey–Minkah Fitzpatrick trade, dealing him away after a career-best showing in 2024. Questions were raised in the wake of that swap about how Miami would replace Smith at the tight end spot. The team caught many off guard by agreeing to acquire Waller in a trade with the Giants after he made it clear he would only return to the NFL if he could reunite with Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith in the process.
Presuming Waller is sidelined on Sunday, the Dolphins will need to rely on Julian Hill and Jalin Conyers at the tight end spot. Hill entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and Conyers did the same this spring. Experience will be in short supply as a result for however long Waller is unavailable.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/3/25
Today’s list of minor moves consists of players removed from injured reserve via injury settlements:
Chicago Bears
- Released from IR: S Tysheem Johnson
Cincinnati Bengals
- Released from IR: OT Caleb Etienne
Miami Dolphins
- Released from IR: Bayron Matos
New York Giants
- Released from IR: Jermaine Terry
San Francisco 49ers
- Released from IR: QB Tanner Mordecai
Seattle Seahawks
- Released from IR: John Rhys Plumlee
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/1/25
Here are the latest practice squad transactions from around the NFL:
Chicago Bears
- Signed: LB Cale Jones Jr.
- Released: LB Power Echols
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: LB Anthony Walker
- Released: DT Josh Tupou
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: QB Jeff Driskel, LB Brian Asamoah II
- Released: LB Matt Jones, S Trey Taylor
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: CB Isaiah Johnson
- Released: CB BJ Adams
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: QB/WR Tommy Mellott, DT Coziah Izzard
New York Jets
- Signed: LB Mykal Walker, RB Lawrance Toafili
- Released: LB Aaron Smith
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: S D’Anthony Bell
- Released: G Sataoa Laumea
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: TE Drake Dabney
- Released: DB Kendell Brooks
With backup quarterback Aidan O’Connell starting the season on injured reserve, the Raiders – who already traded for Kenny Pickett – added some more veteran depth by signing Driskel. The 32-year-old has spent the last seven years in the NFL but only took one snap for the Commanders last season. Now, Driskel will join rookie QB Cam Miller on the practice squad in Las Vegas.
Dolphins OLBs Coach Ryan Crow Arrested On Domestic Battery Charge
SEPTEMBER 1: Crow has been placed on indefinite administrative leave while his case plays out, head coach Mike McDaniel said on Monday (via Wolfe). Senior defensive assistant Sean Ryan will take on the responsibilities of outside linebackers coach in his absence.
AUGUST 29: Dolphins outside linebackers coach Ryan Crow was arrested this early this morning on a domestic battery charge, as noted by NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe.
The arrest by Fort Lauderdale police has led to a stay in Broward County, FL.’s main jail without bond, ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques adds. An on-scene investigation by police shortly after midnight led to the arrest on a misdemeanor battery charge. According to Louis-Jacques, the alleged victim was not seriously injured and declined attention.
“We are aware of the serious matter involving Ryan Crow and currently gathering more information,” a Dolphins statement reads. “Ryan has been placed on administrative leave effective immediately. We have been in communication with the NFL and will reserve further comment at this time.”
Crow began his pro coaching career in 2018 with the Titans. He served as a defensive assistant for two years in Tennessee before a single season as a special teams assistant. From 2021-23, he worked as the Titans’ outside linebackers coach. The 37-year-old joined Miami’s staff last offseason in the same role.
The likes of Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips and Chop Robinson are set to handle key roles along the edge in 2025. The Dolphins may enter the campaign shorthanded on the sidelines based on the outcome of this case, however. Miami does not have a designated assistant outside linebackers coach, so it is unclear who would take over from Crow in the event he were to miss game time as a result of this alleged incident.
Dolphins GM Chris Grier Discusses Offseason Approach, Tyreek Hill, Jalen Ramsey Trade, Secondary
The Dolphins were not especially active in free agency this offseason, as guard James Daniels (three years, $24MM) was the only FA addition to land a contract worth over $6MM. After Miami made significant expenditures in recent seasons to extend internal talent or acquire expensive, high-profile players from other clubs, this year’s more conservative approach reflected a concerted effort to get right with the salary cap.
“For us, it was just good business,” Dolphins GM Chris Grier told reporters, including Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, at his annual late-August press conference on Wednesday. “We had to get younger … At some point, if you don’t reset fast enough, it’s not good cap wise. We got to a point where we felt this was the right time to do it but to the point we [also] have a good roster to win games. We’ve been very happy so far.”
Grier made sure to point out owner Stephen Ross did not influence his roster construction.
“Steve has never given us a directive on how to do it,” Grier noted. “At some point, you have to reset. When you make aggressive moves like we had made for a few years, you have to reset and start it over. It’s not sustainable.”
Of course, two years after trading for CB Jalen Ramsey and one year after extending him, the ‘Fins dealt him and TE Jonnu Smith to the Steelers at the end of June. They took on Minkah Fitzpatrick’s notable contract in the process, but with Pittsburgh assuming the bulk of Ramsey’s pay, it ended up as a financial win for Miami, particularly since the team was able to avoid signing Smith to an extension at the peak of his value.
As Jackson notes, there may have been other factors at play in the Ramsey/Smith trade. When asked about parting ways with Ramsey and others this offseason, Grier said, “we were winning, but we weren’t winning the right way. They were held accountable but at times it didn’t matter to them. Moving on from those people … At some point, you say enough is enough.”
To be clear, Grier said Ramsey and Smith are “good people” and that he “didn’t have any issues with them.” Still, the accountability comments add an interesting wrinkle to conversations about the Dolphins’ offseason strategies.
When discussing his current roster, Grier praised the group’s accountability and self-policing. He spoke particularly highly of wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who was also a rumored trade candidate earlier this year.
“Tyreek has been unbelievable the whole offseason,” Grier said. “He has been around every day, worked tirelessly with this team. He’s closer with a lot of his teammates than he has ever been. He is 100 percent invested. [Quarterback] Tua [Tagovailoa] and Tyreek are closer than I’ve ever seen them before.”
One of the byproducts of Grier’s cap-driven roster decisions was a perceived weakness in the secondary, underscored by the inevitable Ramsey departure and the February release of CB Kendall Fuller. In Week 1, 2024 UDFA Storm Duck and recent signee Rasul Douglas are penciled in as the starting boundary corners, while fifth-round rookie Jason Marshall will man the slot. It is a group that is not inspiring a great deal of confidence at the moment, though Grier naturally expressed optimism.
“We feel good about the room, adding [Douglas] to the group,” he said. “We’ve been talking to him throughout the summer. He’s a consummate professional, keeps himself in great shape. He’s very smart. Happy to add him to the group. Veteran players go through their process of when they’re ready. Timing worked to get it done last minute.”
Grier went on to discuss the benefit of adding Fitzpatrick to the defensive backfield. As Jackson details in a separate piece, defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver plans to deploy Fitzpatrick in multiple roles. That includes rushing the passer and lining up on the box.
“It’s going to be a little bit more challenging, a little bit more pressure,” Fitzpatrick said. “They’re asking me to do more than just one job. I think his defense in the secondary is based off of versatility, and that’s kind of the reason they brought me here.”