Quick hits and explanations from Dolphins GM Chris Grier. And Kendall Lamm re-signed
News and quick hits from Dolphins general manager Chris Grier’s annual late-August news conference on Wednesday:
▪ Grier said the decision to pull back on big spending in free agency was not an edict from owner Steve Ross. Grier said it simply was time to do a reset because of cap and roster management issues.
“Steve has never given us a directive on how to do it,” he said, adding that he and Dolphins executive Brandon Shore “spend time with [Ross] and [president] Tom Garfinkel and Mike McDaniel. At some point, you have to reset. When you make aggressive moves like we had made for a few years, you have to reset and start it over. It’s not sustainable.
“For us, it was just good business. We had to get younger... At some point, if you don’t reset fast enough, it’s not good cap wise. We got to a point where we felt this was the right time to do it but to the point we [also] have a good roster to win games. We’ve been very happy so far.”
Nevertheless, “It’s all about winning,” Grier said. “We’re never going to be a step back. Our goal is to try to get in the playoffs and win games.”
▪ Grier isn’t concerned about the defensive backfield: “We feel good about the room, adding Rasul Douglas to the group. We’ve been talking to him throughout the summer. He’s a consummate professional, keeps himself in great shape. He’s very smart. Happy to add him to the group. Veteran players go through their process of when they’re ready. Timing worked to get it done last minute.
“Getting Minkah Fitzpatrick added to the group was huge for us. The young cornerbacks have opportunities to make plays” with Fitzpatrick helping at safety.
The Dolphins made room for Butler by releasing safety Jordan Colbert.
One cornerback, Cam Smith, is going on the NFL’s non-football injury list. He said the team doesn’t give details on players who go on NFLI, or when they might return. But he said Smith is coming off two very good weeks of practice.”
▪ Grier said the Dolphins will be aggressive with waiver claims on Wednesday afternoon.
▪ Grier said the team is re-signing veteran tackle Kendall Lamm, who was released by Philadelphia.
Lamm was the Dolphins’ No. 3 tackle the past two years.
“Talking to him last night, he’s in good spirits and feels good,” Grier said.
On the backup offensive line: “We are a little light there. Austin Jackson, we obviously need him back. We are trending for him playing Week 1. James Daniels has done a nice job at guard.
“Kion Smith back is good; he can play tackle and guard. Daniel Brunskill has played in the system for a long time; gives us some comfort.”
▪ Grier said there has been no setback with tight end Darren Waller, who hasn’t practiced fully yet.
▪ Grier said rookie running back Ollie Gordon II “came in heavy” because he intentionally gained weight to handle a heavy college workload. The team told him to lose weight and “he came back 10 pounds lighter.”
▪ Grier praised the rookies, including Gordon, Jason Marshall, Quinn Ewers and Jordan Phillips. “The whole draft class, we’ve been very happy with. They’re going to have to contribute and play this year.”
▪ Grier said the level of self-policing among players is something unlike anything he has ever witnessed here. He cited Mike McDaniel’s speech to his team earlier this offseason, preaching accountability.
▪ Grier praised Jordyn Brooks, Aaron Brewer, Tua Tagovailoa, Alec Ingold and Bradley Chubb for their leadership and upholding players to the standard.
▪ Asked about moving on from Jalen Ramsey and others and whether Miami wanted players who would fit the culture, Grier said in general: “It was getting the right group of people and make sure everyone was all about football with this team. Jalen and Jonnu [Smith] are good people; I didn’t have any issues with them.”
Grier said “we were winning, but we weren’t winning the right way. They were held accountable but at times it didn’t matter to them. Moving on from those people... At some point, you say enough is enough.”
▪ Grier said he was “shocked we were able to get” Fitzpatrick in the trade for Ramsey and Smith. “But I knew Pittsburgh liked Ramsey a lot.”
▪ Grier said “we are younger, faster. It’s a closer unit group.”
▪ And speaking of this being a closer group... Grier said Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito and Matthew Tkachuk “came over and talked about how the uniqueness and closeness of the locker room is so important.” That has been a Dolphins emphasis. Zito and Tkachuk brought the Stanley Cup with them.
▪ On Tyreek Hill: “Tyreek has been unbelievable the whole offseason. He has been around every day, worked tirelessly with this team. He’s closer with a lot of his teammates than he has ever been. He is 100 percent invested. Tua and Tyreek are closer than I’ve ever seen them before.”
▪ The Dolphins are signing veteran kicker Riley Patterson, as we reported on Tuesday. He will go on the practice squad and be elevated for three games while Jason Sanders’ hip injury heals. Sanders, who is on injured reserve with a designation to return, is eligible to play beginning in Week 5, health permitting.
▪ The Dolphins plan to add a couple of running backs to the practice squad. Grier said “all indications to us is De’Von Achane will be ready Week 1.” At the moment, Gordon is the only healthy running back on the roster.
▪ Would the Dolphins consider bringing back Christian Wilkins, who was released by Las Vegas? “I don’t think we would ever close our minds on anything. Haven’t had any conversations about it. We would be open to it because while he was here, he was a very good player for us.”
▪ He said “each game has gotten better and better” for new No. 2 quarterback Zach Wilson.
▪ On the decision to sign outside linebacker Matthew Judon: “It would be naive to say the health part wasn’t involved. Having four guys, if they are healthy, who can really rush helps the back end. We have linebackers who can cover underneath. Being able to have four guys who can rush the quarterback enables us to have more people in coverage. It was a no brainer signing when he told us he was interested in signing here. To keep four fresh all game will be a huge help, especially over a long season.”
▪ Grier said he has received “colorful emails,” including one person who said he hopes his children die of cancer.
“I know there are people who are upset, but that’s part of any job... I’m frustrated we didn’t win enough games last year. I don’t take things personally.”
He said if he says he’s comfortable with where things are with the team, some fans will think he’s a “[butt] hole.”
This story was originally published August 27, 2025 at 10:40 AM.
