The Miami Dolphins signed James Daniels to a three-year, $24 million contract, hoping to provide stability to the right guard position. He suffered a pectoral injury on the third snap of Week 1 and was placed on injured reserve the following week, though Mike McDaniel expressed optimism he could return after the initial planned four-game absence. Unfortunately, Daniels never had his practice window opened and stayed on injured reserve.
He is scheduled to earn a $1.3 million base salary, a per-game bonus totaling $1.375 million, $3.48 million guaranteed if on the roster by March 13, a $5.195 million option bonus due August 31, a $3.62 million cap hit, and $7.87 million in total cash in 2026, per Over The Cap.
Miami Dolphins move on from veteran blocker
Miami Dolphins, James Daniels
Jul 29, 2025; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins guard James Daniels (78) works on the field during training camp at Baptist Health Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Dolphins have released James Daniels after playing just three snaps with the team. Since each team can only designate two players with a post-June 1st designation, the front office used the standard pre-June 1st release on Daniels, allowing his remaining dead cap to accelerate into 2026 rather than split into 2027. As a result, they lose $1.18 million in cap space while incurring $4.8 million in dead cap.
The Dolphins have released veteran guard James Daniels, per source. pic.twitter.com/z0mnGeMl6A
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 16, 2026
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