Dolphins part ways with former interim general manager Champ Kelly
Kelly leaves Miami after being passed over for general manager position.
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 09: Interim general manager Champ Kelly of the Miami Dolphins looks on prior to a game against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium on November 09, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images According to various media members, the Miami Dolphins parted ways with former interim general manager Champ Kelly on Wednesday. Kelly took over for Chris Grier when the team fired him during the 2025 NFL Season, however the Dolphins passed on hiring Kelly as the full-time general manager this offseason — instead inking Jon-Eric Sullivan for the position.
The Dolphins have parted ways with senior personnel executive Champ Kelly, sources say. Kelly served as Miami's interim GM this past season after Chris Grier's firing. Kelly has two decades of NFL experience with Miami, Las Vegas, Chicago and Denver.
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) April 29, 2026 After being passed over for the position, Kelly wrote a heartfelt message and posted it to his personal Instagram account, but vowed to continue working. He will now need to do so for another National Football League organization. Despite losing out on the general manager job, Kelly remained with the Dolphins through the draft as a senior personnel executive.
Now that the 2026 NFL Draft has concluded, Miami’s front office deemed him expendable. We will continue to keep you updated on all things Miami Dolphins as the team welcomes its new rookies to the facility and prepares to enter the next phase of the team’s offseason program.