What Aikman will do now for Miami. Brooks honored; Aikman, Ross, Sullivan speak
The Dolphins appreciated ESPN analyst Troy Aikman’s diligence and hard work as a consultant during their search for a general manager, so much so that he has been asked to continue in a similar role as the team searches for a new head coach.
Per a source, Aikman will continue with the Dolphins in an advisory role as the team begins its search for a replacement for Mike McDaniel.
New GM Jon-Eric Sullivan is leading the search with owner Steve Ross, but Aikman will stay on to advise in a similar fashion throughout the process.
During an appearance on Dallas radio station The Ticket on Friday (before Sullivan was named GM), Aikman discussed how he ended up taking the role with the Dolphins.
“Few weeks ago, I got a message from someone that I didn’t recognize the number, and apparently one of the people with the Dolphins had reached out to a number of people wondering who might be a good fit for them to help them in their GM search,” Aikman said.
“And my name had come up a few different times, and so they reached out and asked if I would be a part of it. This was a few weeks back, and so I told them, I would.
“I dove into it at that time, and I’m here in Miami now, doing some in-person interviews and zeroing in on a couple candidates that we really like, and I’m really excited about the process. I think at first, I wanted to make sure that I could provide them what it was that they were hoping I could. And gave it some thought and then as I dove into it, talked with more people, I became more and more confident that I could. So off we went. And it’s been great. So we’ll see where this might go. But I really enjoyed it.”
Aikman also enjoyed spending time with Dolphins executive Dan Marino, a fellow Hall of Fame quarterback.
“It’s been a long time since they’ve won a playoff game; it’s been 25 years,” Aikman said. “And when you’re as old as what we are, you do remember those years, or at least I certainly do, from when I was playing with Marino. And by the way, I’ve had a chance to connect with him over the last couple of days, and he’s always been my favorite quarterback, and which has been really great, got the chance to spend some time with him.”
The decision to dismiss coach Mike McDaniel was made solely by Ross, a source said.
Asked about the Dolphins’ coaching change, Aikman said: “I feel like they’ve been undecided for a good part of the year as far as what was going to happen at that position.
“And I do think that after having been through some of the GM interviews, I think Mr. (Stephen) Ross and the front office just decided that maybe a clean slate with a new GM, a new head coach, was a better way to approach it. But I know that that was not an easy decision for them to make.”
Brooks honored
A group of 50 media members recognized Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks for an exemplary year on Saturday, naming him a first team All Pro linebacker for the 2025 season.
Brooks led the NFL with 183 tackles, including 13 for loss, and added 3.5 sacks.
“He’s the heartbeat of the football team, the best linebacker in the league,” defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver said last month.
Brooks previously was named a Pro Bowl alternate.
The Associated Press named Miami’s Aaron Brewer the second-team center. Kansas City’s Creed Humphrey was voted the first-team center. Pro Football Focus rated Humphrey first and Brewer second among all NFL centers this season.
Sullivan statements
Here were the comments from Sullivan and Ross when the Dolphins announced his hiring on Friday evening:
Ross’ statement: “I could not be more excited to welcome Jon-Eric Sullivan as our next general manager. Jon-Eric brings a clear vision for how to build and run a football team, founded upon his own experience at a winning organization. As we went through our search process, it became undeniable the respect Jon-Eric has across the league as a talent evaluator, leader and man of integrity. We had an extremely talented group of candidates, and Jon-Eric’s ability to stand out so clearly speaks to how impressive he is — not only for his experience, but also his depth of knowledge, his detail-oriented approach and his passion. I believe we found the best of the best in Jon-Eric, and I’m looking forward to working with him as he leads us into a new era of Dolphins football.“
Sullivan’s statement: “What an incredible honor it is to serve as general manager of the Miami Dolphins, an organization of history, tradition and great pride. I want to express my gratitude to Stephen Ross and his family for this exceptional opportunity and the belief they’ve placed in me to lead this storied franchise forward. I also want to thank the entire Packers organization, especially Brian Gutekunst and the late Ted Thompson, for their leadership and allowing me to be entrenched in a process that has brought more than 30 years of sustained success to Green Bay.
“Now, as we forge ahead, we will build a football team that is resilient, physical and tough. We will compete no matter the circumstances, with the ultimate goal of competing for division championships and Super Bowls. Our team building process will be intentional, disciplined and sound. And we will do it together, with collaboration and hard work. It has always been and always will be a team sport. I can’t wait to get started.”
Contract signings
The Dolphins signed four more players to futures contracts on Friday, giving the team their rights for next season, if they make the team: defensive tackle Keith Cooper Jr., tight end Cole Turner and offensive linemen Braeden Daniels and Carter Warren.
Daniels, who was on the Dolphins practice squad last season, was a fourth-round pick of the Commanders in 2023.
Warren has made six starts in two seasons with the Jets (2023 and 2024).
Turner has 13 catches for 143 yards in 23 games and three starts with the Commanders and Titans over the past four seasons.
Cooper spent parts of this past season on the practice squads of the Browns and Lions and appeared in one game with Cleveland.
The Dolphins have now signed 10 players to futures contracts. The other six: wide receiver AJ Henning, defensive tackle Alex Huntley, outside linebacker Derrick McLendon, linebacker K.C. Ossai and offensive linemen Josh Priebe and Kion Smith. Those six finished the season on Miami’s practice squad.
Here’s my Saturday story on the team’s coaching search, including the team reaching out to John Harbaugh on Friday evening.
This story was originally published January 10, 2026 at 9:56 AM.
