Dolphins Bolster Front Office With Key Hires

The Miami Dolphins are moving swiftly to reshape their front office and coaching staff as they enter a pivotal offseason. On Friday, the team announced the hiring of Kyle Smith as assistant general manager, a key addition to the leadership team under recently appointed general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. Smith arrives with extensive NFL experience and a background in both player evaluation and personnel strategy.

Smith’s hiring marks the latest step in Miami’s broader organizational overhaul, which also includes the appointment of new head coach Jeff Hafley. The Dolphins are confronting pressing salary cap challenges, entering the offseason roughly $23 million over the limit. Leadership sees Smith as an essential figure in navigating roster construction and long-term planning.

The Dolphins’ move comes as part of a wider effort to bring in experienced executives and coaches who can implement a cohesive strategy. Alongside Smith, Miami also named veteran special teams coordinator Chris Tabor, signaling an emphasis on both player development and performance across all units.

Miami’s front office overhaul reflects a determination to move past recent inconsistencies and establish a foundation for sustainable success. The new hires combine league experience, scouting acumen, and coaching expertise aimed at stabilizing key areas of the franchise.

1. Executive Experience: Kyle Smith

Smith, 41, brings nearly two decades of NFL experience to the Dolphins. He spent the past five seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, joining in 2021 as vice president of player personnel under GM Terry Fontenot and later serving as assistant general manager from 2023 through 2025. His tenure in Atlanta ended following the firing of Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris as part of a broader organizational overhaul. Prior to Atlanta, Smith spent over a decade with Washington, entering the league in 2010 as a scouting intern and eventually ascending to vice president of player personnel in 2020. During his 11 years with Washington, he served as area scout, director of college scouting, and other key personnel roles, developing a reputation for thorough player evaluation and strategic planning. Smith also has firsthand NFL playing experience. He spent time as a wide receiver with the Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers before transitioning into front office work. His perspective as a former player complements his scouting and personnel expertise. His football lineage runs deep: Smith is the son of longtime NFL executive AJ Smith, who spent nearly 40 years in the league, including a decade as general manager of the San Diego Chargers. This background positions him to provide both strategic insight and continuity in a complex roster-building environment.

2. Roster and Cap Management

In Miami, Smith will work closely with GM Jon-Eric Sullivan to manage roster construction and long-term strategy. The Dolphins face immediate financial challenges, entering the offseason about $23 million over the salary cap. Effective player evaluation and contract management will be crucial to positioning the team for success in both the short and long term. Smith’s responsibilities are expected to span all aspects of personnel management, including assessing free agents, managing draft priorities, and optimizing contract negotiations. His experience in previous executive roles provides a blueprint for balancing immediate roster needs with sustainable team-building strategies. The hire underscores Miami’s commitment to thoughtful, data-informed decision-making as the team navigates complex cap constraints. The front office aims to pair Smith’s analytical skill set with Sullivan’s leadership to create a coherent vision for the roster. Finally, Smith’s role extends to player development oversight, ensuring that incoming and existing talent align with the Dolphins’ strategic priorities. This integrated approach is critical to avoiding past inconsistencies and achieving stability on the field.

3. Coaching Reinforcements: Chris Tabor

Alongside Smith, the Dolphins also named Chris Tabor as special teams coordinator, replacing Craig Aukerman after a single season. Tabor, 54, brings a track record of success with multiple NFL franchises, most recently with the Buffalo Bills, where his unit ranked ninth overall in Pro Football Focus evaluations. His tenure in Buffalo also included coaching first-team All-Pro kick returner Ray Davis. Tabor’s coaching experience spans five NFL franchises, including the Browns, Bears, Panthers, and Bills. He also served as Carolina’s interim head coach late in 2023, ending the stint with a 1–5 record after taking over from Frank Reich. His extensive career reflects both adaptability and expertise in maximizing special teams performance. Miami’s special teams struggled in 2025, finishing 28th in PFF rankings. Tabor’s arrival signals a commitment to turning around that phase of the game and improving field position, scoring opportunities, and consistency in kicking and return units. By adding both Smith and Tabor, the Dolphins are addressing key operational and on-field gaps simultaneously, creating a foundation for a more balanced and competitive team in 2026.