The Miami Dolphins are betting big on a familiar NFL blueprint - one that’s already delivered championship hardware in Seattle. With Jon-Eric Sullivan now in the fold, there’s a clear connection to a proven model of success: the Green Bay Packers pipeline that helped shape Super Bowl-winning GM John Schneider.
Sullivan’s roots run deep in Green Bay. He started with the Packers back in 2004 and spent years climbing the organizational ladder, often alongside Schneider.
Both men worked under Ted Thompson, the architect of some of the most consistent and well-run teams in recent NFL memory. Thompson, of course, was mentored by Ron Wolf - a Hall of Fame executive whose fingerprints are all over modern front office philosophies.
That’s the lineage Sullivan brings to South Florida.
Now, the Dolphins are hoping that pedigree translates into results.
Schneider’s path in Seattle wasn’t without its bumps. He had to make tough calls - none bigger than the long-term handling of Russell Wilson.
Similarly, Sullivan faces a major decision this offseason with Tua Tagovailoa. Is he the long-term answer?
Or is it time to pivot? It’s a franchise-defining moment, and Sullivan’s ability to navigate it will shape the Dolphins’ future.
What gives Miami fans reason for optimism is that there’s a clear track record to follow. Schneider took over the Seahawks in 2010 and quickly built a perennial contender.
His teams have made the playoffs in 11 of his seasons and have now captured a second Super Bowl title in three appearances. That kind of sustained success doesn’t happen by accident - it comes from smart drafting, savvy roster construction, and a clear identity.
That identity was on full display this season. Seattle fielded the NFL’s best defense - a physical, relentless unit that overwhelmed opponents and shut down the Patriots for three quarters in the Super Bowl, forcing two crucial turnovers. That’s the kind of blueprint Dolphins fans can expect Sullivan to try and replicate: fast, physical, and built from the trenches out.
But it won’t happen overnight.
The Dolphins are entering a transitional phase. While they won’t face the same salary cap hurdles that have hamstrung other teams, there are still big questions to answer - especially at quarterback.
The roster needs a refresh, and Sullivan will have to hit on his evaluations early and often. That’s the challenge - but also the opportunity.
If Sullivan can identify the right core, as Schneider did with players like Bobby Wagner, Richard Sherman, and Russell Wilson, the turnaround could come faster than expected. Patience will be key. It might take a couple of seasons before the results show up in the win column, but the foundation is being laid.
Miami is hoping that the "Packers Way" - filtered through the lens of Seattle’s success - can finally bring sustained relevance back to South Beach. The pieces are in place. Now, it’s on Sullivan to make the right moves and build a team that can contend.
The road to the Super Bowl is long, but with the right vision and a little time, the Dolphins might just be heading in the right direction.