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The Miami Dolphins shook things up on Friday when they announced they had mutually parted ways with general manager Chris Grier.
After much disappointment, Thursday night’s home loss to the Baltimore Ravens seemed to be the last straw for both parties, and they mutually ended their relationship.
Stephen A. Smith, however, appeared to believe that the parties used a technicality to avoid saying that Grier lost his job. He later appeared to question why Grier, who is black, was “fired” before head coach Mike McDaniel.
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Stephen A. Smith and former Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier (Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images; Jim Rassol/The Palm Beach Post/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
“This is nonsense. That’s the first fire? Really? That’s what we’re doing?” it was about your [Tagovailoa]. It was Mike McDaniel. And the brother gets fired first?” Smith said when the news broke while on “First Take.”
“I’m not saying he doesn’t deserve it because of the way he looks. You’re in charge, I got it. I get it. I’m all for brothers as head coaches and general managers. We know the battles I’ve been fighting for over 30 years. I got it.
“But when you don’t do the job, you don’t do the damn job. I got him. Don’t tell me it’s just him. Don’t tell me we’re leaving Mike McDaniel in place, firing him and moving him. Damn. I’m waiting for more news.
“I can’t defend Chris Grier… But I’ll be damned if it stops there. Oh hell no.”
McDaniel is of African American ancestry from her grandmother.
Dolphins general manager Chris Grier and coach Mike McDaniel address reporters. (Hal Habib/The Palm Beach Post/USA Today Network)
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Grier, 55, had been with the organization since 2000 and served as the team’s general manager since 2016.
“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 general managing partner Stephen M. Ross said in a statement.
“As I evaluated the state of the team and in my conversations with Chris, it became clear to both of us that change could not wait. We must improve, in 2025, 2026 and beyond, and this must 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 everyone needs to fight even harder hard.”
Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier does not walk on the field before the game between the Miami Dolphins and the Tennessee Titans at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on September 30, 2024. (Jasen Vinlove/Image Images)
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In Grier’s nearly decade-long tenure as general manager, he had a 77-80 record with three playoff appearances. They made the playoffs in 2016, 2022 and 2023, losing in the wild card round all three times.
