I'm not sitting here saying don't laugh, you can't talk to a friend after a game or anything like that, but I do think there are some optics of, when you're cracking up, belly-laughing on the field after you just lost a huge game in that way to be eliminated from the playoffs, that's a look that doesn't go over well, whether it's with certain other players in the locker room, whether it's with ownership, whether it's with the fanbase.
The game - which the Dolphins won 16-13 in overtime - was the NFL's first in Spain, as part of a growing international series that's seen contests played in England, Germany, Brazil, Ireland and Mexico. Tagovailoa, a Christian, was asked where else he'd like to play after experiencing Madrid and previously Frankfurt, Germany. And his answer caught the eye of a high-ranking diplomat: Mike Huckabee, the United States Ambassador to Israel.
You're right. Owner Stephen Ross can't paint ex-general manager Chris Grier as the singular scapegoat or fall guy. After all, Grier led the way in collecting the most talent this franchise has had in two decades. Coach Mike McDaniel and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa are more responsible than Grier for the on-field disappointment, or, as you call it, the dysfunction. I think bringing back McDaniel and Tagovailoa while Grier is the only one to pay a price would be doing the rebuild halfway.