Tua Tagovailoa found himself on the sidelines alongside Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, left with nothing but hope in the final seconds as Kyler Murray coolly guided his team into field goal range. The Miami Dolphins, who have been a postseason fixture for the past two years, won’t be making an appearance in the 2024 playoffs. While the team’s official line remains optimistic, and Tua has been vocal about keeping the faith, the fans can feel the writing on the wall.

This season’s struggles extend beyond just dealing with injuries or Tua’s absence from the lineup. It cuts deeper into the core of team management and decision-making. The trust in the organization’s ability to effectively rebuild or make strategic trades has eroded, leaving fans skeptical about the future.

Chris Grier, in his role as the Miami Dolphins’ general manager, bears significant responsibility for the current state of affairs. The Dolphins had ample opportunities to secure a victory over Arizona, but self-inflicted errors proved costly, leaving their postseason hopes hanging by a thread. Despite having a promising foundation in 2019, Grier’s team-building efforts have fallen short.

Concerns linger about Grier’s potential moves in trading players for draft picks, fearing that pivotal selections might go awry, much like past picks such as Noah Igbinoghene and Liam Eichenberg. As the Dolphins gear up for a likely top 15 pick in the 2025 draft, there’s a cloud of uncertainty over whether Grier will capitalize on the opportunity.

In free agency, while there’s financial flexibility available, the fear remains that spending will prioritize internal contracts and budget additions rather than transformative signings.

Owner Stephen Ross’s tenure has been filled with inconsistency. Frequent coaching changes and inexplicable pay raises before firings haven’t provided stability. His unwavering trust in Grier is perhaps the greatest enigma facing the Dolphins right now.

The Dolphins are in need of a transformation, not necessarily a complete tear-down, but a strategic reconfiguration. However, many are questioning if the current leadership has the capacity to execute it effectively.

As other teams successfully navigate rebuilding phases, Miami fans watch with anticipation for a shift that remains elusive. Real change seems unlikely until there’s a shake-up in the leadership, starting with Grier, with little else to do now but take the field, play hard, and hope for the best.