Has Steven Ross stepped away from the Dolphins leadership?
For years, the Miami Dolphins have been one of the NFL’s most talented yet frustrating franchises. Coaching changes, philosophical shifts, off-field distractions have pooled into high dysfunction leaving Phins fans getting the hype of success every year instead of actually building it. But if recent comments from Mike Florio prove prophetic, the Dolphins may be entering something entirely different.
This 2026 team might be a whole new Phins organization from the very top all the way to the bottom.
Florio on DolphinsTalk Offered Up Big News
According to Florio, he was told from an insider at the ownership meeting that Stephen Ross is beginning “done” and stepping back, with his son-in-law expected to play a larger role in the franchise’s future. This makes sense given how much turnover has happened is the past few months and how Mike McDaniel was expected to return and then suddenly was fired.
It’s clear that there was a major shakeup at the very top.
Given Ross’s 17 years of disastrous leadership, given Sillman a shot is at the very least addition by subtraction.
Florio also suggested that the Brian Flores lawsuit and other league-related issues consumed a significant amount of Ross’s attention over the past several years. And now that the case is moving forward, Ross will have to spend even more energy and time appearing in court.
Could this have been a factor? Ross is 80 years old.
Whether fans agree with every aspect of that assessment or not, it raises an interesting question:
What if the Dolphins are finally entering a new era from the very top of the organization?
That possibility appears to line up with the football decisions Miami has made this offseason.
Is Miami Done with Hustling Fans & Building Something Real?
Rather than chasing another offensive headline, the Dolphins have quietly embraced a different identity. Jon-Eric Sullivan has helped reshape the roster with a greater emphasis on toughness and physical football. New head coach/ defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley arrives with a reputation for disciplined, aggressive defense built around stopping the run and forcing offenses into uncomfortable situations.
Offensively, Miami also appears to be pivoting toward balance.
Instead of asking the quarterback to carry the offense every Sunday, the Dolphins seem intent on letting the running game become the engine. The acquisition of Malik Willis fits that philosophy. Willis brings mobility, toughness, and the ability to complement a run-first attack while creating explosive opportunities off play action.
That approach could unlock the biggest weapon already on the roster.
De’Von Achane has consistently been one of the NFL’s most explosive players whenever he touches the football. If Miami can finally establish a dependable rushing attack, defenses will be forced to respect the run, opening cleaner lanes for Achane’s speed and giving him more opportunities to manufacture chunk plays without relying solely on high-volume passing.
You can bet with the best pay per head that none of this guarantee wins.
But there has been a ton of change at every level and…
If Florio is right and a changing of the guard is beginning within ownership, the Dolphins could finally have an organization pulling in the same direction—from ownership to the front office, from the coaching staff to the roster itself.
