Loss and dysfunction are the hallmarks of the Ross and Grier reign…this is just another chapter
The Miami Dolphins’ 29–27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on October 12, 2025, marked their fifth defeat in six games, dropping their record to 1–5. To add insult to injury, directly after the game quarterback Tua Tagovailoa expressed frustration over the team’s lack of discipline, particularly criticizing teammates for tardiness and absenteeism at player-only meetings.
And a media firestorm erupted.
Today Phins fans received a double helping of ‘fun’: talk about the loss and talk about the dysfunction of the franchise.
So, let’s dig into this sloppy mess that is so typically with the Dolphins.
Phins season is over, but the mess is just beginning
The Dolphins led with just under 50 seconds 27-26, but as they are experts at doing, they choked. After 40-yard kick return, the worst defense I’ve seen in quite some time in Miami missed sack on Justin Herbert that led to a huge pass to Chargers receiver McConkey, putting the Bolts in position for the game winning field goal. The Dolphins found themselves down 29-27 with 5 seconds left. A Tua pick ended the game leaving the Dolphins 1-5 on the season.
And if that wasn’t bad enough, Tua came out in his presser and spoke about the lack of commitment as being part of the problem. Then all the focus fell on him and this comment and the reactions became the focus.
Mind you, not the loss or the game coming up, or even the long history of failure playing out once again, but the comment.
So very Dolphins.
The Tua comment fallout
Head coach Mike McDaniel emphasized the importance of accountability and stated that while player-led meetings are voluntary, the team’s overall performance reflects on everyone. But he also went on to say Tua ‘misguided representation’ of player film sessions and all but chastised the comment.
Add to it center Aaron Brewer and tackle Patrick Paul came out backing McDaniel saying that Tua’s comments need to stay behind closed doors.
You can bet with the best pay per head that Tua should have kept it to himself! But let’s focus on the heart of his comment and not the messenger or how the message was delivered? We are too far down the rabbit hole of abject failure to strain at gnats and swallow camels. Right or wrong, Tua’s comment embodies this pathetic franchise’s failure for over a decade and a half to a Tee!
The Dolphins always over promise, under achieve, and then reset after an ugly divorce with equal parts of hopium and disparaging the prior leaders–except for Chris Grier and Steven Ross.
So, maybe the focus should be that McDaniel’s entire tenure has been one of lack of discipline?
How about we fixate on the 10-year messy crap show of Chris Grier as GM?
Isn’t it the best course to laser lock on the disgrace and dysfunction that has epitomized the entire 15 years of Steven Ross’s ownership?
Likely this won’t be the case. Ross isn’t going anywhere and likely not even Grier, so the media will be forced to temper their takes and focus on everything else but them.
All the narratives will focus on ‘once we get rid of Tua and McDaniel and get new head coach who will have the high pick to draft a new quarterback that we’ll be ‘on our way to the promise land’.
Grier & Ross are BIGGEST pieces of the crappy Phins puzzle
Okay, we need to get off Tua and McDaniel to fix this, but haven’t we said the same thing about many others and the same problems persist?
Maybe they are just symptoms of the issues like so many before them?
Hasn’t the narrative been the exact same for Parcells, Sparano, Ireland, Philbin, Incognito, Hickey, Tannenbaum, Gase, Tannehill, Gailey, Flores, Fangio? And yet, the same issues have persisted without pause after they are gone.
Weird coincidence or maybe they weren’t the heart of the Dolphins problems?
While I’m not here to argue about who of the above rogue’s gallery was or isn’t the problem, the key fans must focus on we are having the same conversation with the same cycle of failure since about 2010. What I am saying 100% is that the core and source of the Dolphins issues is and has been owner Steven Ross and general manager Chris Grier.
And I’m here to tell you the cycle ineptitude will repeat as long as these two are running the show. The rot, like a fish, starts at the head and if Ross keeps running the same model of operating the Miami Dolphins it’s rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic in South Florida.
Only Ross has the power to change this course, but does any of us believe he will?
Nothing will change unless Ross does.
Sadly, we’ll likely be having the same conversation in 3-4 years about another coach and quarterback.
This article sums up the current storm. It correctly labels the problem, which is ownership and the owners command staff. Ross and his staff have done a great job of developing the stadium and the team facilities. That is where their expertise lies. The actual product they sell is the team and it is horrible. I believe that Ross looks on the Dolphins as a hobby, like a train set. He goes to the draft and buys some pieces, sort of like a new caboose or nifty clubcar. He sits in his box and watches the train wreck while smoozing his fellow big shots and celebrities. He loves to get on camera down on the field. He needs to take the team public like Green Bay. He could sell all sorts of stocks in various classes and still remain as chairman of the board. The CEO could then hire a staff to put the team back o track. Shareholders would not put up with a loss of their investment. Heads would roll. As it is, just stay home and watch the game on TV. Xfinity now allows you to put up to four games on your screen. You can always use the bathroom if you get sick watching Tua throw those picks!
“I believe that Ross looks on the Dolphins as a hobby, like a train set.” After F1 made him all that money… I think it’s something like this. “He needs to take the team public like Green Bay.” WE need that..he doesn’t he loves the control and it’s making a killing… he’s passing it off to his daughter and they own the team for decades…sadly. I won’t spend anymore money going to live games… I’m hoping this offseason proves he’s serious… but I expect Grier to keep being the GM or moved into upper management and controlling things from beind the curtain… which is just about as bad. Sorry I missed this comment, Van… I don’t have a very good hope that we’ll be a serious team anytime soon…. Ross is too comfortable and making too much money to change.
This article sums up the current storm. It correctly labels the problem, which is ownership and the owners command staff. Ross and his staff have done a great job of developing the stadium and the team facilities. That is where their expertise lies. The actual product they sell is the team and it is horrible. I believe that Ross looks on the Dolphins as a hobby, like a train set. He goes to the draft and buys some pieces, sort of like a new caboose or nifty clubcar. He sits in his box and watches the train wreck while smoozing his fellow big shots and celebrities. He loves to get on camera down on the field. He needs to take the team public like Green Bay. He could sell all sorts of stocks in various classes and still remain as chairman of the board. The CEO could then hire a staff to put the team back o track. Shareholders would not put up with a loss of their investment. Heads would roll. As it is, just stay home and watch the game on TV. Xfinity now allows you to put up to four games on your screen. You can always use the bathroom if you get sick watching Tua throw those picks!
“I believe that Ross looks on the Dolphins as a hobby, like a train set.” After F1 made him all that money… I think it’s something like this. “He needs to take the team public like Green Bay.” WE need that..he doesn’t he loves the control and it’s making a killing… he’s passing it off to his daughter and they own the team for decades…sadly. I won’t spend anymore money going to live games… I’m hoping this offseason proves he’s serious… but I expect Grier to keep being the GM or moved into upper management and controlling things from beind the curtain… which is just about as bad. Sorry I missed this comment, Van… I don’t have a very good hope that we’ll be a serious team anytime soon…. Ross is too comfortable and making too much money to change.