A breakdown of the top five Miami Dolphins contracts most at risk under a new coaching staff, using cap impact and roster context to explain who could be on the move.
The Miami Dolphins are heading into the 2026 season without GM Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel. Grier had been in the Miami Dolphins organization since the year 2000 and has been GM since 2016. During his tenure as GM the Dolphins had 5 winning seasons and 3 playoff appearances but were unable to win a playoff game. McDaniel was a hot head coaching name in 2022 when the Dolphins decided to hire him as head coach. He finished with a record of 35-33, leading Dolphins to back-to-back playoff appearances in 2022 and 2023.
The Dolphins replaced Grier with Jon-Eric Sullivan, who was Vice President of Player Personnel with the Green Bay Packers. The Green Bay Packers connection continued as the Miami Dolphins also have hired former Packers DC Jeff Hafley to become their next head coach. He was one of the hottest coaching candidates available this coaching cycle after his turnaround of Boston College and his work turning the Packers defense into one of the best in the league over the last two years. They will have their work cut out for them, as the Dolphins are currently $11 million dollars over the cap. Below are 4 players not expected to be on the roster next year as well as 1 player you might not expect.
Tua Tagovailoa signed a 4 year, $212.4 million extension with the Dolphins during the 2024 off-season, including a $42 million signing bonus, and $167.1 million in guaranteed money. Tua has really struggled to stay on the field as the starting QB for the Dolphins, as he only has played one full 17 game season in 2023. McDaniel really unlocked Tua in 2022 where he threw for 3,548 yards, 25 touchdowns, and only 8 interceptions in 13 games. He continued that success in 2023 where he played all 17 games, threw for 4,624 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions which ultimately led to the aforementioned extension. The last 2 years Tua has not been as good, the Dolphins even benched him the last 3 games in 2025 to get a look at Rookie QB Quinn Ewers.
Tua is now entering into the second year of that four year extension. According to Spotrac, his cap hit is scheduled to be roughly $56.4 million. If the new regime decides to do a post June 1st cut of Tua they would incur a dead cap of $67.4 million in 2026, $31.8 million in 2027. Which would actually cost the Dolphins an additional $11 million in 2026 for Tua. However if the Dolphins were to trade Tua before June 1st the Dolphins would save $11.2 million in 2026, a post June 1st trade the Dolphins would save $43 million in 2026. Prior to the cap increase that we would expect to happen in the new league year, the Dolphins are currently scheduled to be $11 million over the cap. I could easily see Sullivan and Hafley looking to move on from Tua and choose their own QB to lead the Dolphins. The Broncos eating the dead cap for Russell Wilson and turning the team around might lay the groundwork for the bold move of releasing Tua if the Dolphins cannot find a trade partner. Based on our contract risk meter tool, we list Tua as a high risk.
Tyreek Hill was traded to the Dolphins in 2022 for five draft picks: '22 first, '22 second, '22 fourth, '23 fourth, and a '23 sixth. The Dolphins also gave Hill a four year, $120 million contract extension. In 2023 Hill put up a career high in yards with 1,799 yards, and 13 touchdowns. He had back-to-back 1,700 yard seasons, he had 1,710 yards in the previous year in 2022. These were career highs that he nevef acheived with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs high-powered passing attack.
Tyreek Hill’s outlook has drastically changed since then, as he will be coming back from a gruesome injury that he suffered during the 2025 season. Some have even questioned if Tyreek Hill will physically be able to return from the injury, let alone if he will be back with the Dolphins in 2026. Tyreek Hill will be turning 32 in March, entering into his final year of the restructured 3 year, $90 million contract extension that the Dolphins gave him in 2024. According to Spotrac, a post June 1st cut Tyreek Hill would create $35 million in cap savings for 2026 which I fully expect the Dolphins to take advantage of. This will set up Jaylen Waddle to remain as the prime target for the Dolphins heading into the 2026 season. Based on our contract risk meter tool, we list Hill as a high risk.
Tyrel Dodson re-signed with the Miami Dolphins during the 2025 free agency period when he signed a two year, $6.25 million contract including a $1.4 million signing bonus, and $2.6 million guaranteed. Dodson was signed to play opposite of LB Jordyn Brooks.
In his first full season with the Dolphins, Dodson recorded 72 solo tackles, 57 assisted tackles, 5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 1 interception, and 3 pass deflections in 16 games played. Dodson is entering into the final year of his contract, where he carries a $3.7 million cap hit. According to Spotrac, if the Dolphins were to cut Dodson they would save $3 million in cap space.
I believe this new regime will opt to cut Dodson to get the cap savings and choose to bring in their own LB. The NFL is all about connections and I would not be surprised if the Dolphins sign Quay Walker in the off-season as he is scheduled to become a free agent. The only reason they may keep Dodson is that LB Jordyn Brooks is also entering the final year of his deal and if they were to cut both Dodson and Brooks then the Dolphins would have to replace both starting LBs. But based on Dodson providing greater cap savings, and how well Brooks has played, Dodson seems the player more likely to get cut. Based on our contract risk meter tool, we list Dodson as a high risk.
Minkah Fitzpatrick was acquired by the Dolphins during the 2025 off-season, the Steelers sent Minkah and a 27’ 5th for Jalen Ramsey, Jonnu Smith, and a 27’ 7th round pick. Fitzpatrick was drafted by the Dolphins at pick #11 in the 1st round of the 2018 NFL draft. In his rookie season Fitzpatrick made 51 solo tackles, 29 assisted tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 touchdown, and 9 pass deflections. The Steelers had seen enough and acquired the disgruntled Dolphin safety after 2 games in 2019 for most notably a 1st round pick.
Now after a full circle moment returning to the Dolphins and providing some much-needed stability to the back end of their defense. Fitzpatrick is entering into the final year of his contract, where he carries a cap hit of $18.8 million. According to Spotrac, if the Dolphins were to do a post June 1st cut or trade the Dolphins would save $15.6 million in cap space.
Once again Fitzpatrick's future in Miami is in question, with the new coaching staff coming in I believe Fitzpatrick is as good as gone. Especially since Jeff Hafley is known for his ability to develop secondary talent. We currently list Minkah Fitzpatrick as a high risk in our contract risk meter tool.
De’Von Achane was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the 3rd round (84th overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft. Achane burst onto the scene as a rookie racking up 800 rushing yards on just 103 carries (7.8 yards per carry) and had 11 total touchdowns while just playing in 11 games. A shoulder injury and more significant MCL shortened his rookie season causing people to question if he could be a true workhouse back with his small frame. He has quickly answered that question with a resounding yes, as he has played in 33 games over the last 2 years. This past year he had 305 total touches between rushing and receiving for 1,838 yards, and a combined 12 TD’s. He also led the league in yards per carry this year with 5.7 yards.
Achane is an absolute stud running back and is only 24 years old heading into the final year of his rookie contract carrying a cap hit of $1.7 millon, according to Spotrac. I’m sure after the success that Achane has had that he will be looking for a contract extension this off-season. Given the turnover at head coach and GM, the Dolphins no longer have ties to Achane and therefore I’m not sure the Dolphins will want to pay him what he wants. As the new regime turns the roster over and starts adding guys that fit their vision, I could see the Dolphins trading Achane and let the acquiring team pay Achane. Due to that fact, we have Achane listed as a medium risk in our contract risk meter tool.
The 2025 Miami Dolphins had a rough start to the season, a 4-game win streak in the middle of the season had them in the playoff conversation. But the Dolphins ultimately fell short of the playoffs, finishing the season with a 7-10 record, and 3rd overall in the AFC East.
The biggest question this new regime faces is who will be playing QB for the Miami Dolphins? Tua was paid like a franchise QB, but has been underwhelming since the Dolphins gave him the big contract. Tua was benched for the final 3 games in favor of Quinn Ewers who was drafted in the 7th round (231st overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft. If the Dolphins do decide to move on from Tua, there is no clear answer as to who will be the Dolphins starting QB.
The 2026 Miami Dolphins are going to look a lot different as this new regime tries to shape this roster to fit the new vision for this franchise. The Dolphins have a decent amount of aging veterans that they will likely move on from in order to create the cap savings necessary to get under the cap. This off-season will show us if the Dolphins are committed to a full rebuild or do they keep some pieces and re-tool this roster to get them over the hump.
Want to see which players face contract risk across the rest of the NFL? Check out our contract risk meter tool and keep an eye out for our upcoming series breaking down teams undergoing front-office changes.
Steve Falco
Steve Falco
Admin HQ
