While the Miami Dolphins season this year is going great, a mere two years ago, the franchise was in turmoil. Just ask former Dolphins linebacker Kyle Van Noy . In a recent interview, Van Noy detailed the “civil war” between then-head coach Brian Flores and the general manager of the team.
Former #Dolphins LB Kyle Van Noy says that felt he was in the middle of a "Civil war" during his time with Miami, via @punchlinepod44
There was reportedly a power struggle surrounding QB Tua Tagovailoa between then coach Brian Flores and GM Chris Grier.
Kyle: "I believe I just… https://t.co/UKdZX3K0bD pic.twitter.com/BZ3hmVA7l5
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 25, 2023
According to Mike Lombardi, Flores told Tua Tagovailoa that the team should have taken Mac Jones instead of him. Van Noy echoed the tension that was on the team saying, “I believe I just was in the middle of a civil war between the GM and head coach.” GM Chris Grier and Flores apparently had a power struggle surrounding the quarterback position. Flores clearly wanted someone else but the GM made the decision to go with Tagovailoa a decision that seems to have worked out in the team’s favor. This gives a small glimpse into how bad the situation was in Miami before Mike McDaniel took over.
This is just the latest drama surrounding the Brian Flores era in Miami. His suing of the Dolphins and the league over how they handled his hiring and firing is well documented. However, it seems that he was likely on his way out as the Dolphins had committed to Tagovailoa and Flores was clearly not happy. That kind of drama can affect a team and we saw that with those teams. The Dolphins weren’t bad but could never put things together for an entire season likely because there was so much drama surrounding the quarterback and head coach relationship.
Van Noy didn’t hold back and I have a feeling this isn’t the last that we have heard from this situation.
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