Jon-Eric Sullivan is reportedly on the verge of becoming the next general manager for the Miami Dolphins, as per a well-placed source who spoke to NBC Miami. The deal would usher in a new era for the Dolphins' front office following the departure of Chris Grier. Sullivan's move from the Green Bay Packers, where he spent over two decades, includes his recent tenure as vice president of player personnel, a position he held starting in 2022, as per NBC Miami.
Upon completion of his in-person interview with the Dolphins, ESPN was the first to report that Sullivan was in the process of finalizing the deal, signaling a swift overhaul by the Dolphins after a lackluster season. Sullivan, who originated as a scouting intern with the Packers in 2003, climbed up the ranks to play a significant role in Green Bay's operations, contributing to their playoff appearances in three of the last four seasons. The Packers are currently preparing to battle it out against Chicago in a wild-card game tomorrow, with Sullivan's prospective shift adding another dimension to the organizational dynamics.
The newfound responsibilities awaiting Sullivan in Miami include the critical task of hiring a new head coach after Mike McDaniel's four-year tenure came to an end. The Dolphins have been associated with various candidates including former Ravens coach John Harbaugh, although they haven't pursued him intensively yet, as reported by WSVN 7Sports. Options with direct ties to Sullivan include Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, former Packers head coach Mike McCarthy; and Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile, who spent 2020-2023 coaching linebackers for the Dolphins.
Further complicating Sullivan's entrance is deciding the fate of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after a recent dip in performance, having been benched for the last three games of the season. Despite having signed a substantial $212.4 million extension in July 2024, Tagovailoa's season stats marked a downturn and featured a career high of 15 interceptions. The financial implications of Tagovailoa's future with the Dolphins include a guaranteed $54 million for 2026, along with substantial salary cap repercussions. Should he be released, a $99 million dead cap charge looms over next year, which, if designated as a post-June 1 release, would spread out the impact between 2026 and 2027.
