The Miami Dolphins, after dropping their Week 7 game to the Cleveland Browns in a blowout loss, have a lot of questions that need to be answered.
One of the main questions is whether there will be any changes coming for Miami in the coming days. But, as Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports, no changes are expected to come for the Dolphins. Head coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier are safe.
But why are they still safe? According to a report from Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald, an associate of Stephen Ross revealed the reason why both are safe. And after the tough Week 7 loss, it's a frustrating answer for Dolphins fans looking for change.
Why Dolphins aren't firing Mike McDaniel or Chris Grier
"When I've asked a Ross associate why no changes," Jackson reports, "He cited the owner wanting to give McDaniel/Grier a fair amount of time to turn this around. Yesterday and previous weeks did not qualify, in his view, as reasons to change from what approach. Who knows what will?"
When I've asked a Ross associate why no changes, he cited the owner wanting to give McDaniel/Grier a fair amount of time to turn this around. Yesterday and previous weeks did not qualify, in his view, as reasons to change from that approach. Who knows what will?
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) October 20, 2025
The Dolphins are 1-6, and coming off a brutal 31-6 loss in Cleveland to the now 2-5 Browns. Getting blown out like this on the heels of two agonizing close losses is a brutal look for the Dolphins.
But, despite the struggles on both sides of the ball, and the clear regression from Tua Tagovailoa, McDaniel and Grier are safe for now. Dolphins ownership doesn't view the start to the year so far as enough to warrant firing either.
But, with how bad the team has played, and the roster construction being a major question mark, it's hard to not identify McDaniel and Grier as two of the main reasons why the team is off to such a poor start this season.
The offense is struggling, and while Tagovailoa has had his positive moments, games like the loss to the Browns, which featured three interceptions, including one pick-six, are a reason to be concerned about the Dolphins franchise quarterback going forward.
In terms of roster construction, the cornerback room, in the wake of the Jalen Rams ey trade, is short-staffed and struggling. The two top rookies, Kenneth Grant and Jonah Savaiinaea, have both struggled to begin the year.
The Dolphins are at a major turning point. With the massive looming cap hits for Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, and many others, the 2026 season might be a year to fully reset and tank.
And while handing the reigns over to a new general manager and head coach might be appealing, it seems that, for now, Grier and McDaniel will be in charge going forward.
From top to bottom, the roster needs an overhaul, and that doesn't even include the looming free agent departures and trades coming at this years deadline. Between the roster and the on-field play, McDaniel and Grier are both on the hot seat.
And yet, the Dolphins don't see it the same way. As Jackson reports, the Dolphins are going to let both the head coach and general manager see this through. At least, for now.
While the Dolphins ownership could make a change in thought process by the end of the year, for now both McDaniel and Grier are safe. Miami is giving both a chance to fix things, but after the last two years, it's a questionable decision from Ross and the team's leadership.
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