Chris Grier facts for kids
| Miami Dolphins | |
|---|---|
| Position: | General manager |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | March 24, 1970 Holliston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| College: | University of Massachusetts Amherst |
| Career history | |
| As executive: | |
|
|
Christopher Grier (born March 24, 1970) is an American professional football executive. He is currently the general manager for the Miami Dolphins team in the National Football League (NFL). He has held this important role since 2016.
Chris Grier first joined the Dolphins organization in 2000. Before becoming general manager, he worked in various scouting jobs. He also gained experience with the New England Patriots from 1994 to 1999.
Contents
Grier's Early Life and Family
Chris Grier comes from a family deeply involved in professional sports. His father, Bobby Grier, was also a football executive. Bobby worked for the Houston Texans and the New England Patriots. He held roles like running back coach and vice-president of player personnel. Chris worked with his father at the Patriots until 1999.
Chris's brother, Mike Grier, is also a general manager, but in a different sport. Mike is the general manager of the San Jose Sharks in the National Hockey League. He used to be a professional ice hockey player himself.
Chris Grier went to the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He studied journalism there. While in college, he played football for two years. For his last two years, he helped the team as an undergraduate assistant.
Chris Grier's Career in Football
Starting with the New England Patriots
Chris Grier began his career as an intern for the New England Patriots in 1994. An intern is like a trainee who learns on the job. In 1995, he was promoted to a regional scout. A scout travels to different places to find talented football players.
During his time with the Patriots, the team reached the Super Bowl XXXI. This is the championship game of the NFL. However, the Patriots lost to the Green Bay Packers in that game. Chris Grier worked with famous head coaches like Bill Parcells and Pete Carroll while he was in New England.
Joining the Miami Dolphins
In 2000, Chris Grier moved to the Miami Dolphins. For three years, he worked as an area scout. In 2003, he was promoted to national scout and assistant director of college scouting. This meant he helped find players from colleges across the country.
By 2007, he became the director of college scouting. This was a big step up. Before becoming general manager in 2016, Grier worked with many Dolphins head coaches. These included Dave Wannstedt, Nick Saban, and Tony Sparano.
Becoming General Manager
On January 4, 2016, Chris Grier was promoted to general manager of the Dolphins. This is a very important job. The general manager is in charge of the team's roster. They decide which players to sign, trade, or draft.
One of Grier's first big moves was a trade. He traded the Dolphins' 2016 first-round draft pick to the Philadelphia Eagles. In return, the Dolphins got linebacker Kiko Alonso and cornerback Byron Maxwell. This trade helped shape the team.
Dolphins' Playoff Appearances
Under Chris Grier's leadership, the Miami Dolphins have had five winning seasons. They have also made the playoffs three times.
- In 2016, his first year as general manager, the Dolphins reached the Wild Card Playoff. They lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- In 2022, they again made the Wild Card Playoff. This time, they lost to their division rival, the Buffalo Bills.
- In 2023, the Dolphins lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs. The Chiefs went on to win the Super Bowl that year.
Chris Grier has also overseen three changes in head coaches for the Dolphins. These coaches were Adam Gase, Brian Flores, and Mike McDaniel.
Key Player Draft Picks
Chris Grier has made some important draft picks for the Dolphins. In the 2020 NFL draft, he selected quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Tua was chosen as the fifth overall pick. This made him the highest-drafted quarterback for the Dolphins since Bob Griese in 1967.
In the 2021 NFL draft, Grier drafted two more key players. He picked wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and linebacker Jaelan Phillips. Both players had a great start to their careers. Jaylen Waddle broke a record for most receptions by a rookie. Jaelan Phillips became the first rookie since 2002 to record at least six sacks in three games.
Grier's Long Tenure
On January 10, 2022, the Dolphins' owner decided to keep Chris Grier as general manager. This made him the longest-serving general manager for the team since Eddie Jones, who served from 1990 to 2004. Grier is now the fourth-longest-serving general manager in the Dolphins' history.
