News broke on Tuesday about the New York Jets parting ways with their general manager, and it got fans of teams like the Miami Dolphins wondering whether a similar shakeup could be on the horizon for them. Let’s shine a spotlight on Chris Grier, the Dolphins’ general manager since 2016, who took the reins of personnel control in 2019. Dolphins fans have endured a long wait for a playoff win—something that’s been elusive since the 2000 season.

Grier’s Dolphins have made the playoffs in the last two seasons but were halted in the first round by the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs. It raises the question: Will Dolphins owner Stephen Ross stick with Grier if the 2024 season doesn’t yield better results, or is a change in the wind?

Fast forward a few weeks from an aching loss that dropped them to 2-6 against the long-dominant team in the AFC East, and the outlook now has a slightly different hue. Climbing out of this hole to secure a playoff spot remains a formidable quest, especially when looking at the potential for yet another wild-card entry and road playoff battles.

As such, it seems challenging to picture this season being the one where the Dolphins break their playoff win drought.

But here’s the crux: What might drive Ross to make a decision against Grier, who’s been with the organization since that ill-fated 2000 season? After all, Grier has navigated the waters through coaching changes from Adam Gase to Brian Flores and now Mike McDaniel. Clearly, he’s had Ross’s vote of confidence through these waves.

Let’s dive into the Dolphins’ rebuild efforts since 2019, a year marked by bold moves to accumulate draft capital and readiness to invest in big-name stars. With five first and second-round picks in 2020 followed by four in 2021, the list of draftees sounds impressive on paper: Tua Tagovailoa, Austin Jackson, Noah Igbinoghene, Robert Hunt, Raekwon Davis, Jaylen Waddle, Jaelan Phillips, Jevon Holland, and Liam Eichenberg. Despite the talent in this pool, only Tagovailoa has emerged as a Pro Bowl player so far.

When you throw in star acquisitions like Tyreek Hill, Bradley Chubb, and Jalen Ramsey, plus free agent grabs such as Terron Armstead, the pressure mounts for this overhaul to produce results. Five years down the line, without that elusive playoff win, the rebuild narrative struggles to stand tall.

Moreover, there’s the glaring issue of depth at quarterback. The Dolphins’ failure to adequately safeguard the team against Tua’s potential absence looms large. Whether through a poorly adapted scheme for backups Skylar Thompson and Tyler Huntley or a simple lack in backup QB quality, the glaring drop in play when Tua’s unavailable demands answers.

Here’s the bottom line: if the Dolphins can rally in 2024, snag a playoff spot, and maybe grab a win, Grier and company could see their efforts rewarded. However, falling short in the hunt for the playoffs or a playoff win could spell changes. A narrow miss of the playoff mark won’t have fans accepting Tua’s injury stint as an excuse.