According to multiple reports, the Miami Dolphins are set to hire Jon-Eric Sullivan as the team’s new general manager.
Report: Miami Dolphins Close to Hiring Jon-Eric Sullivan as GM
Jon-Eric Sullivan is the Vice President of Player Personnel for the Green Bay Packers. He joined the Packers’ football operations department in 2004 as a college scout for the team. Spending his entire career with Green Bay, he was part of the team when they became Super Bowl XLV champions in 2010.
Promoted to Director of College Scouting in 2016, he has been in his current role with the NFC North team since 2022. Now, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, Sullivan is set to take the reins of the Dolphins, marking a new era for both parties in 2026.
Why the Miami Dolphins Chose Sullivan Over Others
Sullivan, the son of a long-time coach, Jerry Sullivan, the Dolphins’ wide receivers coach in 2004, beat out other strong candidates for the job. Interim GM Champ Kelly reportedly made the final four list after interviewing earlier this week, while many saw Chad Alexander as a potential frontrunner, especially after John Harbaugh was let go by the Baltimore Ravens.
Dolphins owner Stephen Ross wants to reset the organization from the top down. Rather than choosing the top available head coach candidate, he chose the person he believes will be the best at turning around a team that has not won a playoff in 25 years.
Viewed by the Dolphins hierarchy as one of the top candidates, Sullivan has a strong history in player scouting. His long tenure with a successful Packers franchise signifies he’s the type of person Ross wants to move on from the Chris Grier era.
Priority Issues For Sullivan To Address In 2026
Once Sullivan is officially confirmed, he will start the process of delivering change to the Dolphins. One obvious issue will be hiring a new head coach. Bringing in someone new will undoubtedly mark a shift in team identity. However, moving on from the Mike McDaniel era comes with several player personnel decisions along the way.
Trades, free agency, and the draft will give insight into how Sullivan and the Dolphins will build the roster. Due to the team’s tough salary cap situation, this could present difficulties. Tua Tagovailoa’s future will need to be addressed. A decision on that situation will have a significant financial impact.
2026 may not show immediate results for the Dolphins. However, putting the right people in charge will set the team up for future success. Sullivan’s experience in player personnel could go a long way to developing a new-look team. But everything starts with the coaches who must agree on a clear identity for the team.
This could result in losing popular players who don’t fit the new style. But now that the team is effectively starting over, turnover is to be expected.