Dolphins GM Chris Grier says team not in a rebuild despite looking to trade Jalen Ramsey

David Furones, South Florida Sun-Sentinel on Apr 15, 2025

Published in Football

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MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — With star cornerback Jalen Ramsey on the trading block, left tackle Terron Armstead retiring and veteran defensive tackle Calais Campbell departing in free agency, is it time for the Miami Dolphins to label 2025 the start of at least a soft rebuild or reset?

Don’t use that phrasing around general manager Chris Grier.

“No, the word has not been brought up at all,” Grier said in a pre-draft news conference held Tuesday afternoon at team facilities. “We have a lot of really good football players on this roster still at some places that impact games. So, that word has not been used at all, and our goal is to win this year and keep winning for sustained success in the future.”

But in the win-this-year part of that equation, how does sending away a three-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowl selection in Ramsey while losing nearly 30 years of experience in Campbell and Armstead translate to the necessary leadership to win in 2025?

“We do,” Grier said of having the leaders in place.

He started by naming defensive tackle Zach Sieler, the Dolphins’ team MVP last season.

After a momentary pause to list other leaders, Grier continued: “Just to name a few, I mean, you can say Tyreek (Hill), (Jaylen) Waddle, Alec Ingold, Austin Jackson, the offensive line guys. Those guys, they lead differently. They’re quiet guys in how they do it by example and stuff.”

Grier did not name Tua Tagovailoa in that answer, although he could’ve seen him as a given and was listing other leaders outside of the team’s starting quarterback. Linebacker Jordyn Brooks and tight end Jonnu Smith are also strong candidates to emerge as leaders and captains this season.

Campbell fled to the Arizona Cardinals in free agency in a return to the team with which he spent his first nine NFL seasons.

“We made him an offer and, ultimately, he decided to go play for the team that drafted him,” Grier said. “Happy for him and, at the end of the day, he did a great job for us. We wish him well, but we’re excited for what we could possibly add here on our D line here in the future.”

With Armstead retiring, Grier anointed 2024 second-round pick Patrick Paul as the team’s starter at left tackle.

Not much spending

Another reason why it could be difficult to buy that the Dolphins aren’t undergoing some sort of a reset is they went through the first wave of free agency without dishing out big contracts.

With many roster holes to fill, the most they spent was on a three-year deal worth up to $24 million for guard James Daniels.

Grier said that was not due to any doing of owner Steve Ross in giving his front office the command to pinch pennies.

“Steve has never given that (indication),” Grier said. “Steve wants to win, like we all do. And he’s a fantastic owner that wants badly for the Miami Dolphins to win, as we all do.

“For us, it’s in a salary cap era, you just can’t keep (spending) when you have high-priced players, and you’ve seen it around the league. So you make decisions. We have 10 draft picks this year, for the first time with that many draft picks. So, excited about that.

“At the end of the day, we were just looking to sign some good players at prices that we felt comfortable paying and that continues all the way through the draft and post-draft, as we’ve been in touch with a number of players, as well, still that we’re still tracking.”

Grier also noted how more free agents this offseason seem to be waiting until after the draft to make their ultimate decision.

Other notes

— In choosing Zach Wilson instead of a veteran, experienced backup quarterback, Grier said he understands the thought the team could’ve gone the route of a more proven passer, but the move for Wilson was based on potential.

— Grier said he feels comfortable with the idea that the Dolphins have two starting safeties between a group of newcomers in Ifeatu Melifonwu and Ashtyn Davis, along with the return of Elijah Campball and second-year player Patrick McMorris.

— In bringing back offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg, Grier said the 2021 second-round pick is not guaranteed a starting role and will “provide swing versatility and he’ll compete for a job.”