The Miami Dolphins are moving into a different kind of offseason headline - one that has nothing to do with the roster and everything to do with who’s running the show.
For the first time in Stephen Ross’ ownership, the team hired a new general manager and a new head coach at the same time, and now the organizational chart is getting just as much attention as the football moves. Jon-Eric Sullivan and Jeff Hafley are already the names fans are buzzing about, but the bigger shift is happening above them.
Tom Garfinkel is stepping down as Dolphins President and CEO after 13 years in the role. He took over from former CEO Mike Dee at a pivotal moment, when Ross had just introduced a new logo and the Hard Rock Stadium upgrades were still in progress. Garfinkel oversaw that work through to completion, but his time with the Dolphins is now ending.
The real power change is even larger. Danny Sillman is taking over the operations, and Ross will no longer have the GM or other executives reporting directly to him. The team spelled that out in a statement on Sillman’s expanded role:
"He will also oversee football operations for the Miami Dolphins, with Head Coach Jeff Hafley, General Manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and Executive Vice President of Football Operations Brandon Shore reporting directly to him."
Ross will still be the financial backer of the franchise, but in practical terms, this is now Sillman’s operation. That was already starting to show this offseason, when he became far more visible around the team for the first time in Ross’ ownership.
The move also fits with reporting that Ross’ succession plan was to leave the Dolphins to his two daughters. Sillman is married to Kim, and he has spent much of the past decade working closely with his father-in-law while also handling other sports ventures. Before marrying Ross’ daughter, he was part of Relevant Sports, and he also served on the board of directors for the World Cup committee that helped bring the games to the United States.
As for Garfinkel, he isn’t disappearing from Ross’ orbit entirely. He’ll continue working with him on the Miami Grand Prix side of things, but his Dolphins chapter is closing. After years of a messy and poorly structured chain of command, Miami finally has a new hierarchy in place.
In Other News...
Dolphins Rookie Is Forcing His Way Into A Key Tight End Battle
The Dolphins came into camp with a crowded tight end room, but the competition has started to sort itself out quickly. Miami has six players at the position and only three with NFL experience, and rookie Will Kacmarek has been one of the more notable standouts as the team sorts through who can help right away. His work as a blocker has especially caught attention, while the recent addition of Jeremiah Franklin off waivers adds another layer to a group that is still very much in flux.
Greg Dulcichs minor injury has only increased the importance of these early reps, giving the younger tight ends more chances to prove they belong in the rotation. Seydou Traore has shown some promise too, while Ben Sims and Cole Turner are still trying to separate themselves as depth options. For Miami, the bigger question now is not just who sticks, but which of these tight ends can earn real trust once the preseason picture starts to sharpen. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins Practice Made One Defensive Standout Impossible To Ignore
The Dolphins got their third block of training camp practice underway with lightning briefly forcing the group indoors, and the session never really shook the feel that the defense had the upper hand. It was a no-pads workout with several absences, including Austin Jackson, Lonnie Johnson Jr., Jamaree Salyer, Dante Trader Jr. and Kevin Coleman, while tight end Greg Dulcich was back on the field in a red jersey but only in a limited role.
Even in a lighter practice setting, one defensive presence kept drawing notice because he seemed to be around the ball whenever the offense tried to settle in. Miami has spent much of camp sorting through individual performances and depth-chart clues, and days like this matter because they can quickly separate a routine practice from one that leaves a lasting impression on the staff. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins Rookies Are Already Giving Coaches A Reason To Believe
Training camp has become the first real proving ground for Miamis 13-player rookie class, and the early reviews from coaches have given the group a reason to believe it can matter sooner rather than later. The Dolphins are sorting through a class that includes Kadyn Proctor, Chris Johnson, Jacob Rodriguez, Caleb Douglas and Chris Bell, with each player already getting individualized feedback as the staff tries to see how they fit into the bigger picture.
Proctor is working through the adjustment to guard, while Johnson has stood out for his poise and confidence. Rodriguez has drawn attention for his instincts and knack for forcing turnovers, and other rookies such as Douglas and Trey Moore are getting the kind of developmental coaching that usually comes with a long summer ahead. The encouraging part for Miami is not just the talent in the room, but the sense that several of these newcomers are already giving the staff something to build on. [Read more 🡒]