Directionless

By Mike Rifkin

It’s being widely reported that the Miami Dolphins and Cornerback Jalen Ramsey are mutually exploring trade options to send the star corner out of Miami. Ramsey, who will turn 31 in October, was acquired by Miami after the 2022 season from the LA Rams in exchange for a third round pick and Hunter Long. 

It’s been a tumultuous offseason for the Dolphins, remember after the final game of the season, Tyreek Hill said he wanted out, and has since walked that back, but still it’s a distraction. The Dolphins lost safety Jevon Holland in free agency, and have let players like Calais Campbell walk out the door. The Dolphins didn’t have a lot of money to spend in free agency, though they could’ve had more had they restructured the contract of Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, which they didn’t.

It’s easier for teams to acquire star players while their quarterback is under their rookie deal, but if you’re Chris Grier I think it’s fair to ask why did you wait until a week prior to the draft, to trade Ramsey? Had they done this sooner, they might have been able to retain Holland. The Dolphins are a team with a lot of needs, now add cornerback to the list, and everything will have to be addressed during the draft. 

The Dolphins have not won a playoff game in a quarter century, and let’s be honest the team hasn’t been really relevant since Dan Marino retired. Coach Mike McDaniel is entering his fourth year as the Head Coach, he did lead the team to the playoffs his first two seasons, before missing last season much in part to Tua Tagovailoa suffering another concussion. If trading players like Ramsey and maybe even Hill, is the start of a rebuild is McDaniel going to be a part of it? One thing I am sure of is that if this organization is going to start over, Chris Grier is not the guy I want leading it. This fanbase deserves a lot better than what they’ve gotten over the years, and at the end of the day this organization remains directionless.