The Dolphins’ winning record in the 2021 season, like last year’s 10-6 finish, was not enough to get them in the playoffs, an absence that has stretched to five years.
“I determined the key dynamics of our football operation weren’t functioning at a level I want it to be and felt that this decision was in the best interest of the Miami Dolphins,” the team owner Stephen Ross said in a statement. “I believe we have a talented young roster in place and have the opportunity to be much better in 2022.”
Flores finished with a combined record of 24-25 after three seasons in his first head coach job. The team announced that it would retain General Manager Chris Grier.
Matt Nagy, Chicago Bears
The Bears dismissed Head Coach Matt Nagy and General Manager Ryan Pace on Monday.
Nagy had a spectacular debut in 2018, as the Bears finished 12-4 and made the playoffs for the first time in eight years, earning him the Coach of the Year Award. But two 8-8 and a 6-11 seasons followed. His tenure ends with a 34-31 overall record.
Pace had been at the club for seven seasons, and he hired John Fox (14-34) and Nagy as head coaches, as well as drafting quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (over Patrick Mahomes) in 2017.
Although Nagy had been the offensive coordinator in Kansas City, the Bears never developed a strong offense behind Trubisky and turned to Andy Dalton and the rookie Justin Fields this season with mostly poor results.
Mike Zimmer, Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings fired Coach Mike Zimmer and General Manager Rick Spielman on Monday.
“It is time for new leadership to elevate our team so we can consistently contend for championships,” the team said in a statement. The Vikings have not made a Super Bowl since the 1976 season and have never won an N.F.L. title.
Zimmer had been head coach for eight seasons, including three playoff appearances. The high-water mark was a 13-3 season in 2009 and a trip to the N.F.C. championship. But the team was 7-9 and 8-9 the past two seasons. Zimmer finishes his tenure with a record of 72-56-1.