The Miami Dolphins did nothing at the 2024 NFL trade deadline. That’s not modus operandi for general manager Chris Grier, who has been aggressive in upgrading the roster with midseason deals throughout his tenure.
In the five-season stretch between 2019 and 2023, Grier completed eight trades in the months of October and November — including deals that added Bradley Chubb and Jeff Wilson Jr. to the current roster. But with the Dolphins sitting at 2-6, they opted against adding players to help turn their season around. They also decided not to send any players elsewhere.
“There was a couple of conversations we had, both about people reaching out to us and different possibilities inward and outward,” Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel. “I think the action was that there was no action. That in itself, I think we believe in the roster and want to see guys come through a tough time. I think that’s really what was executed and nothing more than that.”
McDaniel foreshadowed the Dolphins’ inactivity at the trade deadline with a similar answer about his confidence in the current state in the roster Monday.
“Chris Grier’s job is to field all business and listen and think both in the short and the long term of the best interest of the franchise,” McDaniel said. “But I know first and foremost, we are absolutely convicted in this team being better than the win-loss column right now and believe that it can make a turn and that’s how we’re approaching each and every day.”
That could begin Monday night at SoFi Stadium when the Dolphins take on the Los Angeles Rams, who are riding a three-game winning streak. With a win, the Dolphins would validate make their decision to sit pat at the deadline. With another loss, the reluctance to part with aging veterans could quickly look like a stubborn decision that did no favors for the franchise’s long-term outlook.
