The Dolphins announced Friday that they have agreed to terms with Jon-Eric Sullivan as the team's new general manager. Previously the vice president of player personnel for the Green Bay Packers, Sullivan spent 22 seasons with a franchise that won a Super Bowl and appeared in six NFC Championship Games during his tenure.
Sullivan comes from a front office with a reputation of developing top executives. He was part of a program that has built annual contenders through a balanced approach via the draft, free agency and trades.
Here are five things to know about the new general manager of your Ƶ.
1. From the loaded Packers tree
In an interview on the , Sullivan discussed his biggest influences and mentors. He got his start working as a scouting intern during Green Bay's 2003 training camp before earning a full-time position in 2004 when the front office was made up of heavy hitters. John Dorsey, Reggie McKenzie, John Schneider and Brian Gutekuntz all went on to become general managers.
Sullivan mentioned legendary Green Bay general managers Ron Wolfe and Ted Thompson as mentors to himself and current Packers GM Brian Gutekuntz. Sullivan and Gutekuntz have worked together since 2003.
"I can't imagine a better candidate out there," during last year's cycle. "I'm certainly very, very biased, but whoever gives him an opportunity, he's going to do an outstanding job. He's really impacted our organization in so many different ways. He'll be missed, but we also have a lot of guys that I think are ready to move into that space and if that's the case. But selfishly, I'd like him back. But I think he's absolutely 100% ready for this opportunity and excited for him."
2. Grinding his way to the top
Over a 22-year career in Green Bay, Jon-Eric Sullivan has worn many hats. His resume:
Sullivan joined the Packers after a brief stint working in Corporate America. A wide receiver at South Carolina (1995-1997) and Gardner-Webb (1998-1999), he worked for three years (2001-04) for GMAC Insurance Group's sales and credit administration departments but quickly realized his desire to get back into the family business. His dad, Jerry, was a football coach for more than 40 years, including the 2004 wide receivers coach for the Dolphins.
3. The draft is your lifeblood
"I've always been taught the draft is your lifeblood, if you will," Sullivan said in an interview on the . "You build through the draft. It's a young man's game. You want to make sure you're acquiring young, talented players that fit your culture. I think you supplement through free agency."
The Packers roster, which serves as a resume for Sullivan, speaks that quote into existence. An organization that has gone to the postseason in three of Sullivan's four years as vice president of player personnel, few teams have nailed the draft-and-develop concept better than Green Bay.
4. Attacking the quarterback position
Sullivan's earliest mentor, Ron Wolfe, had a famous approach that's still mentioned every draft season. The idea is simple: draft a quarterback every year to build depth, create options and develop talent.
Sullivan saw the Packers transition from Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers to Jordan Love without any bridge years over the course of 20-plus seasons. Rodgers and Love were acquired while their predecessor was still at peak performance. The result: zero lag between Hall of Fame quarterbacks (Favre and Rodgers), and a young star who's made the playoffs all three years the as Packers starter throwing for 80 touchdowns over those three seasons.
"You have to be always assessing your quarterback situation, making sure you have a triggerman you can win with." Sullivan said.
this week that Sullivan "was a key voice in drafting Jordan Love."
Packers brass also identified and acquired a developmental quarterback and backup to Jordan Love when they traded for Malik Willis from Tennessee. In five starts with the Packers over the last two seasons, Willis hasn't thrown an interception, threw touchdown passes on 8.6% of his throws, averaged 10.9 yards per attempt, posted a passer rating of 134.6 and added 261 yards on the ground with three rushing touchdowns.
5. A football family
Sullivan started playing football in third grade. He first attended Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where he caught passes from future Tampa Bay Buccaneers star, Warrick Dunn. Sullivan moved to Ohio with his family when his father Jerry took a job at Ohio State. Jon-Eric enrolled at Fork Union Military Academy in Virgina where he earned all-state honors as a junior cornerback following a nine-interception season, the most in the state that season.
Sullivan's wife Jennifer is the daughter of Peter Hoener, who coached for over 50 years at the college and NFL level. Jon-Eric and Jennifer have three daughters.For more analysis on Jon-Eric Sullivan, and the entire Dolphins 2026 offseason, download the Drive Time Podcast with Travis Wingfield, available wherever you get your podcasts.
