While the Dolphins still have a chance at making the postseason, there are whispers that some major members of the organization could still lose their jobs. Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald writes that coaches and front office staff are quietly trying to “solidify their power” in case owner Stephen Ross decides to make major changes this offseason. Sources tell Salguero that vice president of football operations Mike Tannenbaum and head coach Adam Gase are among those on the hot seat.
Among Ross’s top trio of football executives, Salguero says Tannenbaum is the most likely to get fired. The 49-year-old joined the organization back in 2015, and he’s been a major “facilitator of what the Dolphins have decided their philosophy will be,” which includes fielding a competitive team while building for the future. General manager Chris Grier reports to Tannenbaum, and the executive “oversees and coordinates the effort of football operations and administration.”
Working against Tannenbaum has been the team’s middling record since he joined the organization; the team is 23-23 since he took on a major role, and the team’s future outlook isn’t all that encouraging. Working in his favor is his relationship with Dolphins vice chairman Matt Higgins, who has the ear of Ross. The two have a relationship dating back to their tenure with the Jets, and Higgins has been Tannenbaum’s “most powerful ally and advocate” in Miami.
Meanwhile, Gase has refused to publicly blame injuries or talent for the team’s 7-7 record. However, sources tell Salguero that the head coach is quietly attributing his team’s performance to injuries, and that has been one of Gase’s main reasons for why he should ultimately keep his job. Gase has the support of both Grier and team vice chairman, president and CEO Tom Garfinkel, and he also has a good relationship with Tannenbaum.
Unfortunately for Gase, he doesn’t have a similar relationship with Higgins, who some believe may be pushing for a replacement. Salguero also points out that Ross wouldn’t be afraid to replace the head coach, even though Gase is still owed millions of dollars.
The Dolphins, who currently sit as the AFC’s ninth seed, will face off against the Jaguars and Bills in their final two regular season contests.
Gate is not the problem for decades the dolphins refuse to look at the problem. Here is the problem, as much as they would love to disagree they do not have a franchise quarterback. Like Tannehill but he’s not what you are looking for when you want to win a Super Bowl. Their roster from top to bottom is very weak and needs a complete overhaul.
Bill Gate?
Water Gate
Tannenbaum has been the problem…Gase maximized talent on a trash roster with a terrible defense so big kudos to him…cleaning can begin but he has to stay seriously…this new HC every 3 yrs is biting us as bad as the QB issues
Yup. Keep gase. Fire tennenbaum. Release or trade tannehill. Trade for 49ers Mullen’s or sign Bridgewater. Fire Burke. Need to get tougher
If the Dolphins bring in a new GM, they might as well hire a new HC too. New GM’s typically want to make their mark on the franchise by hiring a HC of their choosing.
Could not agree more regarding the head coach. All successful franchises in the NFL have had two things first the franchise quarterback second the one standing head coach that was arm in arm with the franchise quarterback.
Nick Foles is not a franchise QB but your statement is generally valid.
I disagree that Miami can’t win with Tannehill at QB. You don’t have to have a top 5 QB in the league to win the Super Bowl (not saying it doesn’t help), but remember there are only 5 top 5 QBs hence top 5. The Dolphins need a cohesive unit from top to bottom that has someone at the top that can add to the team in weak areas and keep the strong areas together. Gase is a good coach with the potential to be a great coach, but he can only do so much with what has been provided to him and injuries sure don’t help the situation. Getting rid of Tannenbaum and replacing him with the right fit for what the Dolphins need would be a step in the right direction IMO. The biggest problem I have seen with Tannenbaum is similar to what the issue with McKenzie in Oakland was. They are able to bring in outside veteran talents, but they aren’t consistent at landing 3 to 5 strong players in the draft each year. So the key will be getting someone who has the respect of the veterans and has the ability to find solid to great contributors in the draft. I would be ok with giving McKenzie a chance to replace Tannenbaum as he did have solid drafts his first couple and had a solid team to play for Del Rio it just didn’t fit Gruden’s style hence the fall of the Raiders this year.
Firing Gase would be a huge mistake. He would get another job so fast and possibly with a division rival like the Jets
Agree about the need for a franchise QB. Look at Colts with Luck versus without Luck for instance.
Agree. Franchise quarterback is exactly what’s needed. Colts improvement is largely due to Luck back leading the team.
Luck being back and Luck getting protection.
Good maybe Trollin Ben Volin can leave Globe and start covering them again!!
Really since Ross took over why would someone with a hint of running an NFL team want to work for him? The only difference between him him and “ Jerra” in Dallas is Ross hasn’t been caught picking his nose on National TV
Ross not interfering with football decisions is a pretty big difference.
Really “ not interfering” have you happened to look the past 5 years who he has strolling along the sidelines with him??
Sounds like part of the problem is all the cooks in the kitchen. A GM, a Vice President, TWO vice chairmen. Yikes man. Who does what?
Well that’s typically the way all bureaucracies operate in Florida. I think they are still counting election ballets from 20 years ago…lol.