The Miami Dolphins are a mess heading into the offseason, with both head coach Mike McDaniel and front office executive Chris Grier both under fire in what will likely set up a make-or-break year for the two in 2025.
They’re in a similar situation to New England. Most of their own issues in 2024 stemmed from problems along their offensive line, which saw their ground game finish 28th in yards per carry, along with allowing 43 sacks and injuries that led to four different quarterbacks seeing action last season.
But the first domino fell on Friday when Adam Schefter reported that both special teams coordinator Danny Crossman was let go, with the Dolphins also firing receivers coach and pass game specialist, Wes Welker.
They appear to be the first among the “change” that head coach Mike McDaniel talked about during his statement released by Miami shortly after.
“I am grateful for Danny’s contributions and dedication to the Dolphins over the course of many seasons, as well as the numerous ways he helped me as a head coach,” said McDaniel via the team’s website. “I also want to thank Wes for his investment here. This was not a decision I came to lightly, but as I have evaluated the season and areas where we must improve, I believe that change is needed and am motivated to do what is best for the team as we move forward.”
Welker’s departure certainly caught everyone’s eye, especially in light of what’s going on here in New England. Adding to the intrigue is the fact he shares a connection with Mike Vrabel, who is rumored to be the Patriots’ next head coach.
Welker worked in San Francisco from 2019-2021, but before that, he worked briefly with Vrabel in 2017 as an offensive/special teams assistant for Houston under Bill O’Brien before Vrabel moved on the following offseason in 2018 to become the head coach for the Titans.
The two also played together in New England over the course of the 2007, 2008 seasons before Vrabel was sent to Kansas City in February of 2009 as part of the deal that sent Matt Cassel to the Chiefs.
Whether or not he could be part of Vrabel’s staff – if that’s ultimately what happens – is tough to say. But after being let go by the Dolphins on Friday, if Vrabel does indeed call him, Welker now certainly has a little extra motivation to come back to Foxboro to get a little redemption.
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Ian Logue is a Seacoast native and owner and senior writer for PatsFans.com, an independent media site covering the New England Patriots and has been running this site in one form or another since 1997.
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