The Miami Dolphins took another decisive step in reshaping their front office on Thursday, hosting in-person interviews with two prominent general manager candidates as the organization pushes toward a swift conclusion to its search.
According to Sports Illustrated NFL insider Albert Breer, Miami met with Chad Alexander, the Los Angeles Chargers’ assistant general manager, and Jon‑Eric Sullivan, vice president of player personnel for the Green Bay Packers. Both interviews were conducted face-to-face, underscoring the Dolphins’ urgency to finalize the role.
Final four emerges in Miami
The Dolphins narrowed their candidate pool to four finalists on Wednesday, and Thursday’s meetings represented a pivotal moment in the process. Sullivan had already completed a virtual interview earlier in the week, while Alexander’s visit marked his first direct meeting with Miami decision-makers.
The other two candidates still in contention are:
- Josh Williams, director of scouting and football operations for the San Francisco 49ers
- Champ Kelly, Miami’s interim GM and the lone internal option
With interviews accelerating, league expectation is that Miami will name its new GM before the NFL playoffs begin, a timeline that would allow the franchise to pivot quickly to its next head-coaching hire.
Why Alexander and Sullivan stand out
Alexander arrives with deep roots in one of the NFL’s most respected executive pipelines. Before joining the Chargers, he spent two decades with the Baltimore Ravens, working closely under legendary executive Ozzie Newsome and later alongside Eric DeCosta. His résumé is often associated with disciplined roster construction, strong draft processes, and long-term team building.
Sullivan, meanwhile, represents continuity from one of the league’s most stable front offices. During his tenure in Green Bay, he has played a central role in personnel strategy, scouting alignment, and roster evaluation. His experience working within a structured, analytics-aware organization appeals to teams seeking balance between traditional scouting and modern decision-making.
A compressed timeline by design
Miami’s urgency is not accidental. The Dolphins parted ways with former general manager Chris Grier earlier in the season and dismissed head coach Mike McDaniel following the year, giving ownership a head start on the executive search. That runway has allowed the club to move faster than most teams entering the postseason.
Owner Stephen Ross is believed to want a general manager in place before launching a full-scale head-coaching search. Establishing football leadership now would give the new GM immediate influence over coaching philosophy, staff construction, and offseason priorities.
What the new GM will inherit
Whoever takes the job will face major decisions quickly. Miami’s roster features high-end talent but also looming financial questions, making cap management and long-term planning central to the role. The next GM will be tasked with:
- Evaluating the current core and contract structure
- Aligning coaching philosophy with roster strengths
- Preparing for free agency, the draft, and potential restructures
The compressed decision window suggests Miami values decisiveness and clarity after a turbulent season.
What comes next
With Alexander and Sullivan now interviewed in person, and Williams and Kelly still under consideration, Miami is nearing the finish line. A final decision could come within days, positioning the Dolphins to enter the postseason period with their front office leadership firmly in place.
For a franchise eager to reset its direction, Thursday’s interviews may prove to be the final checkpoint before the next era officially begins.
