Hours after the game in the Meadowlands ended — after All-Pro Phins wideout Tyreek Hill as much as said he wanted out of Miami, having already taken himself out of the game for no apparent reason — the team issued a statement from owner Stephen Ross: General manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel will return to lead the 2025-26 squad.
To put it mildly, the announcement did not go over well with Dolphins diehards, a fan base that last witnessed a playoff victory when Bill Clinton was president. Nor was it a move the sportstelligentsia found it easy to swallow.
You could almost hear the gears grind as the tweets flew.
Sweep the Leg foresaw Ross’ declaration hours before the fact, writing, “I hope today is the last game for Grier and McDaniel, but I know it’s not gonna be for either. Being a Dolphins fan is hell.”
Lord of the Fins extended his tar brush to Tua Tagovailoa: “McDaniel stuck his neck out to get Tua his contract. What did Tua do in return? He bragged about his money. He threw himself head first into harms way at least 6 times, causing 2 injuries, missing 6 games. The Dolphins will finish 8-9, missing the playoffs by 2 games. McDaniel has failed to discipline Tua for his behavior. He is not in control of his QB or his team. He sucks as a play caller…. I’m ok if both go.”
“Well, you heard it here, folks. McDaniel and Grier will be back for next season,” wrote Dolphins fan Marisa Marino when the anticipated word came down from on high. “Time to go back to sniffing glue.”
Neal Driscoll, co-host of the Fin Too Deep podcast, said he’ll let his wallet do the talking: “Silver lining to Stephen Ross announcing the return of Grier/McDaniel so quickly, it helps with budget planning in 2025. I will not be going to any games next season (home or away) for the first time in my 36 years as a fan.”
On a similar note, Mike Oliva of dolphinstalk.com delivered a veritable stem-winder. “Dolphins fans can choose to be part of the SOLUTION or continue to be part of the problem,” he wrote. Maybe it’s time for Dolphins fans to have a ‘pause year’ or a ‘reset year’ from the organization. Speak with your wallet, don’t blindly give the money over, don’t blindly support the Dolphins’ off-the-field efforts/causes, and don’t be their ATM anymore….”
And Barstool Sports blogger Frank “the Tank” Fleming weighed in all the way from New Jersey, writing, “It is clear that Stephen Ross hates the Miami Dolphins fan base…. Keeps Chris Grier. Keeps Mike McDaniel. Thinks 8-9 is fine. He does nothing for the fans and is happy to keep the same incompetent regime….”
It wasn’t all torches and pitchforks, though: Grant Stern, executive editor of Occupy Democrats and a Miami native, responded to a boycotter with “Will miss you. But it’s the right move. Full coaching turnover in year 3 every time is what got us into this mess. The NFL’s rule change in August crushed us along with injuries, and they fought to the end, even if the end was a bitter pill (that measurably improved our draft position).”
Added RBK Ryan Bathgate’s Kaleidoscope: “Tampa is looking for fans.”
