The Miami Dolphins have had themselves a solid offseason that could set them up well next offseason.
The Miami Dolphins are in rebuild mode. The 2025 season was one to forget, and with a new regime at the helm, it is clear that the team is starting fresh.
This offseason has gone the way many expected it to go for Miami. The Dolphins cut ties with six-year starting quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, as well as other key players like safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (via trade), fullback Alec Ingold, offensive lineman Larry Borom, guard Cole Strange, edge rusher Bradley Chubb, and tight end Julian Hill
The Dolphins are not expected to do much this season, and their recent addition and activity this offseason are evidence of that.
They re-signed two key players in tight end Greg Dulcich and linebacker Willie Gay Jr. As for who they brought in, the Dolphins signed five key players, including quarterback Malik Willis, edge rusher Josh Uche, safety Zayne Anderson, wide receiver Tutu Atwell, and cornerback Marco Wilson.
Miami has had a solid offseason by their standards, so much so that Garrett Podell of CBS Sports gave the Dolphins a B- through the first week of free agency.
"Malik Willishad an ideal setup with the Green Bay Packers between head coach Matt LaFleur, Pro Bowl running back Josh Jacobs, and a talented, young receiving core comprised of players like Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Matthew Golden, and Dontayvon Wicks. Willis followed former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, now the Dolphins' head coach, and former Pacers vice president of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan, now the Dolphins' general manager, down to Miami. He'll have a clear-cut No. 1 option in Jaylen Waddle and a speedster at running back in De'Von Achane. It will be interesting to see what his offensive coordinator, Bobby Slowik, who flamed out in that role with the Houston Texans, has learned the last few years."
The reason Podell gave them a good grade is that he thinks they set themselves up nicely for the 2027 offseason.
"Miami did well to get Willis on board while otherwise eating their lumps from a salary cap perspective this season after releasing Tagovailoa. The Dolphins will have plenty of money to spend starting in 2027."
The Dolphins are projected to have significant financial flexibility in the 2027 offseason, with estimates suggesting roughly $91 million to over $100 million in effective cap space.
Releasing Tagovailoa may have forced the team to absorb $43.8 million in dead cap, but the Dolphins are still expected to have considerable money to spend in 2027.
Additionally, the 2027 season marks the end of the large dead-money penalties tied to Tagovailoa’s contract, paving the way for an even larger amount of available cap space heading into 2028.
The 2026 season may be a wash for Miami, but they will have the money to bring in players they desire.