Dolphins hire Packers executive Jon-Eric Sullivan as next general manager
Sullivan will be tasked with hiring Miami's next coach and figuring out what to do with Tua Tagovailoa
The Miami Dolphins have hired Jon-Eric Sullivan as their next general manager, the team announced on Friday evening.
Sullivan is a long-time Green Bay Packers executive who started with the team in 2003 and has worked as the vice president of player personnel since 2022.
"What an incredible honor it is to serve as general manager of the Miami Dolphins, an organization of history, tradition and great pride," said Sullivan in a statement. "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."
Sullivan was a scout with the Packers when they won Super Bowl XLV to cap off the 2010 season and has worked closely with Packers GM Brian Gutekunst to build a perennial playoff contender in Green Bay. Sullivan is the son of long-time college and NFL coach Jerry Sullivan, who spent 40 years on various sidelines and worked for the Dolphins as a wide receivers coach in 2004.
In Miami, Sullivan replaces Chris Grier, who was fired by the Dolphins in October after serving as the team's GM since 2016, when he was promoted from director of college scouting. During Grier's tenure as general manager, the Dolphins experienced seven losing seasons and reached the postseason only three times. Miami has not won a playoff game since 2000.
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Sullivan's first task in Miami will be hiring a new coach to replace Mike McDaniel, who was fired Thursday after the team's 7-10 finish to the 2025 season, his fourth as coach. The Dolphins started the year 2-7 but rallied by winning five of their final eight. Ultimately, it was not enough to save McDaniel's job as owner Stephen Ross said the team is in need of "comprehensive change."
"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," Dolphins wner Stephen Ross said in a statement. "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."
Miami's season included the benching of former No. 5 overall pick Tua Tagovailoa one year after the Dolphins signed him to a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension. Tagovailoa said Monday he would "be good with" a new opportunity elsewhere.
After hiring a new coach, figuring out what to with Tagovailoa, who has a $56.4 million cap hit in 2026, will surely be one of Sullivan's top priorities.
