Jon-Eric Sullivan Brings a New Blueprint to the Dolphins: Build from Within, Stay the Course
Jon-Eric Sullivan hasn't even had time to unpack the office, but he's already making waves in Miami-and not just with the usual GM-speak. In a handful of early media appearances, mostly internal videos that have surfaced on social media, Sullivan is laying out a vision that feels like a dramatic shift from the last decade of Dolphins football. And for a fanbase that’s been waiting for something more sustainable than splashy signings and short-term fixes, his message is hitting home.
The core of Sullivan’s philosophy is simple, but potentially transformative: draft, develop, and retain. That’s not just a catchy slogan-it’s a fundamental shift in how the Dolphins might build their team moving forward.
“We’re gonna draft and develop, and retain our own,” Sullivan said. “We don’t want a team full of mercenaries.”
That line? Music to the ears of Dolphins fans who’ve watched too many homegrown players walk and too many outsiders walk in, only to underperform or misfit the culture. Sullivan’s approach is rooted in continuity and cohesion-building a roster from within so that the team’s identity is shaped by players who’ve grown up in the system, not by outsiders trying to adapt to it.
A Departure from the Grier Era
Under former GM Chris Grier, the Dolphins often struggled to keep their own talent. The team’s track record with extensions was hit-or-miss at best.
Players like Austin Jackson and Tua Tagovailoa were extended despite lingering questions-Jackson with durability, Tua with consistency and confidence. Meanwhile, others like Robert Hunt and Christian Wilkins, arguably more deserving of long-term deals, weren’t locked in when the time was right.
That inconsistency in identifying and retaining core players created a revolving door effect, one that made it hard for the Dolphins to build the kind of foundational roster that sustains success. Sullivan seems intent on breaking that cycle.
He’s also not sugarcoating his view of free agency.
Sullivan called it “dangerous waters.”
That’s not to say free agency is off the table-it’s a necessary part of roster construction in today’s NFL-but Sullivan’s warning is clear: don’t rely on it to build your team. Use it to supplement, not define.
That’s a lesson Green Bay, where Sullivan spent years climbing the personnel ladder, has long embodied. The Packers have consistently prioritized drafting their core and locking them in before they ever hit the open market.
It’s a model of stability that has kept them competitive for decades.
Big Talk, Bigger Task Ahead
Now, the question becomes: can Sullivan execute this plan in Miami? Philosophically, he’s saying all the right things.
But this roster isn’t exactly overflowing with players who fit the long-term mold. There’s talent, yes-but also a lot of uncertainty, inconsistency, and, frankly, filler.
Before Sullivan can start developing players, he’ll need to identify which ones are worth the investment. That means tough decisions are on the horizon.
Some players won’t fit the system or the culture he’s trying to build. Others may need to prove they can stay healthy or take the next step in their development.
But here’s the thing: Sullivan isn’t promising quick fixes. He’s not trying to win the offseason headlines.
He’s building something bigger-something lasting. And if he can follow through on the vision he’s laid out, Dolphins fans might finally get the kind of sustained success that’s eluded the franchise for far too long.
It’s early, and the real work is just beginning. But for now, Jon-Eric Sullivan is giving Miami something it hasn’t had in a while: a clear direction.