It’s not often you see a general manager become the biggest casualty on a 2-7 team roster heading into the trade deadline, but that was the case for the flailing Miami Dolphins on Tuesday afternoon.
GM Chris Grier was fired before Sunday’s loss. Did this play into the Dolphins staying put for much of the deadline action? Who knows. All we know for sure is that the hay is in the barn. The Phins will be finishing the season with much of the same roster they started it with.
Jaelen Phillips, who has been involved in trade talks since the start of October, ended up being the only one to find a new home. The former first round pick, who was set to become a free agent after this season anyway, was flipped to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a high value third round selection.
This wasn’t for lack of trying, however. ESPN’s insider Adam Schefter confirmed Tuesday afternoon that, despite not budging, the Phins were contacted numerous times.
“Despite getting calls for Jaylen Waddle and Bradley Chubb, the Dolphins did not make another deal before the deadline and opted to hold on to both,” Schefter wrote in a post.
Jaylen Waddle Stays Put
Jaylen Waddle was considered the most attractive trade piece in South Beach. The fourth year receiver is already under contract until 2028. Meaning that, before this season’s implosion, he was always supposed to be a part of the Dolphins future going forward.
But despite his name being signed on the dotted line for a grand total of 85 million dollars, many predicted that he would be on the move.
There were several rumblings, but none seemingly coming from inside the Dolphins building.
“The Dolphins are willing to listen to offers on any of their players ahead of Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline, but it is — in the words of one well-placed source — “highly unlikely” that Miami will trade wide receiver Jaylen Waddle,” wrote Adam Schefter in a story posted three days before the deadline. “The Dolphins are expected to trade away at least one of their pass rushers, according to league sources, but a trade involving Waddle would be exceedingly difficult to pull off for a variety of reasons.”
Should They Have Selled Harder?
I know it’s easy to get swept away in the emotions of a 2-7 season, but look around the league. Many have called for the jobs of Tua Tagovailoa and Mike McDaniel, but quarterbacks don’t grow on trees.
If the roster was blown up and Tua was sent to the curb, then what? Just draft a good quarterback, right? It’s that easy, just don’t ask the Jets or the Saints or the Browns.
This season is a disaster, and fans are right to demand much, much better. But McDaniel and Tua have proven an ability to win. Is it worth it to blow up the rest of this season and next season too at the possibility of becoming better? Or would it be smarter to hold on to a talented young roster, and put together a well thought out plan of attack for a soft rebuild?
I lean towards the latter.
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