Amidst what could be a prolonged search for new stability at the general manager spot, the Dolphins turned to an unusual source to help along with the process.
According to several reports, the Miami Dolphins are hiring Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman to help oversee the search for a new general manager.
This comes amidst a boatload of turmoil within the organization as Tua Tagovailoa was benched and it seemed as if the general direction of the franchise was aimless.
This also is interesting news considering the amount of time that has already passed since the firing of former GM Chris Grier. That decision occurred on Halloween after the Dolphins started the season 2-7. However, the unusual decision by team owner Stephen Ross to retain Mike Mcdaniel as head coach may have muddled their decision making process.
Said Ross of the firing, “There is a lot of football left to play and we all need to fight even harder… I have always been and remain committed to building a winning team that consistently competes for championships. Our performance on the field and our team-building process have not been good enough. There are no excuses. You deserve a championship-caliber team you can be proud of.”
Aikman’s Role Raises Questions About Miami’s Direction
While it’s unclear if Aikman will merely be a consultant or will be fully part of the hiring operation is unclear, however his post will be temporary. He himself was reportedly considering becoming a general manager, but is not a candidate for the Dolphins’ position.
While the Dolphins have certainly rebounded since their abysmal start, this is yet another straight year they will be watching the playoffs from the sidelines. While a lot of fans were somewhat satisfied with the firing of Grier, it’s the coaching of Mcdaniel that has left much to be desired. In four seasons with the Fins, Mcdaniel only has a 35-2 overall record, having led the Fins to the playoffs only twice.
That is why the addition of Aikman to the staff is a highly intriguing one. One would think that his experience as a media personality could certainly help. After all, his 25 years of experience as a color analyst for ESPN during their Monday Night Football broadcasts certainly lends to his notoriety and renown around the league. Still, it leaves many to wonder about how the Dolphins will continue to go through with this process.
Desperation or Innovation: What This Means for the Dolphins’ Future
“I’m not opposed to hard work…it’s not so much the hours that would be involved, it’s more about at my age currently, there would be a learning curve,” Aikman said about the role of being a GM . “Would an organization be willing to allow that to happen? It’s a young man’s game, it’s a young man’s world.” While he certainly seems like someone who could lend a hand to a franchise in selecting a GM, it’s safe to say Aikman may not dip his feet into those waters himself.
For the Dolphins, this feels like a desperate move to determine their best path to success. Whether it can work will only be determined by who they hire and why.
Christopher Sheppard Christopher Sheppard is a passionate and knowledgeable sports journalist based in Englewood, NJ pursuing a role in the sports media industry. He covers the NFL for Heavy Sports, focusing on the Dolphins, Chargers, and Buccanneers. More about Christopher Sheppard
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