BLOW IT UP 

BY MIKE RIFKIN

Two years ago the Miami Dolphins were the talk of the NFL world. They were a fun, creative offense that was scoring 70 points like it’s Madden. Two years later they’re an absolute dumpster fire of an organization that lost 31-6 to the Cleveland Browns and now sit at 1-6 on the season. Could this have been avoided? Yes, if this team had a direction and right now it’s as lost as lost can be and those two years seem like a lifetime ago. So how could they have avoided this, well you need a direction, so let’s start there.

Last season in Week 18 against the Jets, the Dolphins still had hopes for the playoffs. With a win and a Broncos loss the Dolphins would make the playoffs for the third time under Mike McDaniel. During that game Receiver Tyreek Hill pulled himself from the game and said postgame that he wanted out. Now, while I don’t like players dictating this kind of stuff, the Dolphins should have given into the demand and traded him for draft compensation. Instead they brought Hill back, and unfortunately Hill hurt his knee and will miss the remainder of the season. There are rumors Hill will be released at the start of the league year next season, so there’s a good chance the Dolphins would get nothing back in return for him. 

The Jalen Ramsey trade, which took place before the season did bring back Minkah Fitzpatrick, but it also left a glaring hole at the cornerback position. A potential trade of Hill and a trade of Ramsey could’ve given Miami a roster reset that it could use.  Now there’s a chance at redemption for Chris Grier. November 4th is fast approaching and that is the NFL trade deadline. Chris Grier needs to make the most of this opportunity, so who is available

BRADLEY CHUBB – EDGE – Chubb is a guy the Dolphins acquired when they thought they were a Super Bowl contender. Chubb so far this season has four sacks in seven games, but the most important thing is Chubb is under contract through 2028, so he is not a rental. 

JAELAN PHILLIPS – EDGE – This one hurts a little bit more. Phillips was a first round pick out of Miami. His first three seasons he had 22 sacks, but then injuries started to plague him. But at 26 years old someone might be willing to take a shot. 

JORDYN BROOKS AND ANYONE ELSE WITH AN EXPIRING CONTRACT- Unless there’s a guarantee on an extension anyone that a team calls for Grier needs to answer the phone and work something out. 

One name I am leaving out is Jaylen Waddle. While the Dolphins should rebuild, Waddle is young enough to be a foundational piece for this organization. Now while the trade deadline could be where the overhaul begins, it’ll truly end after the season. Head Coach Mike McDaniel will probably be gone. Don’t be surprised if GM Chris Grier isn’t far behind. But then what has to happen is the Dolphins have to figure a way out of the Tua contract, dead cap shouldn’t matter in this situation. They’ve tried to run for this as long as they could and now it’s time to blow it up and start it over.