The Miami Dolphins are in the final stages of hiring Jon-Eric Sullivan, the vice president of player personnel for the Green Bay Packers, as their next general manager, sources told Baltimore Chronicle with reference to ESPN. Sullivan has been with the Packers organization since 2003, beginning his career as a scouting intern and earning a full-time position in 2004. Over the years, he advanced from college scout to director of college scouting, then co-director of player personnel, before being promoted to vice president of player personnel in 2022. In this role, he worked alongside general manager Brian Gutekunst for a franchise that has qualified for the playoffs six times in the last seven seasons.
Sullivan’s initial priority with the Dolphins will be selecting a new head coach. The team parted ways with Mike McDaniel on Thursday after four seasons that culminated in a 7-10 record in 2025, marking Miami’s second consecutive losing season following playoff appearances in 2022 and 2023.
Among potential candidates for the head coach position is former Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh, although sources told ESPN’s Jeff Darlington that the Dolphins had not contacted Harbaugh or his representatives as of Thursday. Another possible option could be Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, who has been mentioned as a candidate by the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, and Tennessee Titans, and who shares a professional connection with Sullivan.
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa faces uncertainty under the new regime. After being benched following Week 15, Tagovailoa expressed hope for a fresh start with a different team in 2026. Miami would incur significant financial consequences if they part ways with him. Tagovailoa carries a $56.4 million cap hit in 2026, with a potential dead cap of $99.2 million if released before June 1. Releasing him after that date would distribute a $67.2 million dead cap hit across two seasons. The Dolphins may also consider trading the 2023 NFL passing yards leader, contingent on finding a team willing to assume his contract.
Jon-Eric Sullivan is the son of Jerry Sullivan, a veteran NFL and college coach who retired in 2021 after more than 40 years in football, including a tenure as Miami’s wide receivers coach in 2004. Sullivan continues a tradition of Packers scouts ascending to general manager roles, following figures such as Ted Thompson, Scot McCloughan, John Schneider, Reggie McKenzie, John Dorsey, and Brian Gutekunst.
Other names reportedly considered for the Dolphins’ general manager role included interim GM Champ Kelly, San Francisco 49ers director of scouting and football operations Josh Williams, and Los Angeles Chargers assistant GM Chad Alexander.
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