The Miami Dolphins are hiring Kyle Smith as their new assistant GM, as per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
The Dolphins are hiring Kyle Smith as their assistant GM, per source.
Smith, who most recently held the same title in Atlanta, is a respected evaluator. Another big addition to Miami’s staff. pic.twitter.com/EcFJsXBlCF
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 23, 2026
Smith, 41, has worked in the NFL since 2010. He joined the Washington Redskins in 2010 as a scouting intern, and worked his way up to vice president of player personnel by 2020. Smith left Washington in 2021, and joined the Atlanta Falcons as assistant general manager, working directly under Terry Fontenot at the time.
Interestingly enough, this is a lateral move for Smith, who will be working in the same role with the Dolphins, reporting to general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. However, given Fontenot was recently fired from the Falcons, the move makes sense for Smith.
Per reports, Smith played a key role in the 2025 draft for the Falcons, who had a very successful rookie class. Here’s a clip of Smith talking about James Pearce Jr., who led all rookies with 10.5 sacks last season.
New Dolphins Assistant GM Kyle Smith breaking down Atlanta’s selection of James Pearce Jr., who had 10.5 sacks as a rookie 👇
Smith will be tasked with helping Miami find reinforcements at EDGE going forward #PhinsUp 🐬 pic.twitter.com/Kv2MzBHuaL
— The List – Dolphins Podcast (@TheListFinsPod) January 23, 2026
Smith also seems to have familiarity with the “Green Bay Packers” model of drafting quarterbacks, which general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan recently spoke about in his first press conference with the team as well. When asked about his plans for the team at quarterback, Sullivan mentioned the desire to “draft a quarterback every single year, if possible.”
The Miami Dolphins’ new assistant GM, Kyle Smith, comes with the added experience of being a key piece in a unique QB draft, where Atlanta took Michael Penix shortly after signing Kirk Cousins.
Here he is speaking on “the Green Bay model”, explaining how there is no exact… pic.twitter.com/zWa4x299tm
— Tyler DeSena (@desena_tyler) January 23, 2026
The Dolphins have certainly shaken things up this offseason, and the addition of Smith to the front office is only the latest move. After former general manager Chris Grier was let go in October, his assistants were soon to go as well. Longtime co-directors of player personnel Adam Engroff and Anthony Hunt were fired in November, and assistant general manager Marvin Allen was let go in January.
It remains to be seen how much of an impact Smith will have on the team, but one thing is for sure—the Dolphins are cleaning house and leaving no stone unturned. After nearly two decades of mediocrity, that can only be a good thing.

