Jeff Hafley head coach Miami Dolphins
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MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 22: Miami Dolphins General Manager Jon-Eric Sullivan speaks as Jeff Hafley is introduced during a press conference at Baptist Health Training Complex on January 22, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
The Miami Dolphins‘ rebuilding offseason is very much in full swing, having previously released wideouts Tyreek Hill and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, along with guard James Daniels and edge rusher Bradley Chubb last month. And it is widely believed that new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan is primed to move on from Tua Tagovailoa as the team (and Tua) vie for a fresh start at the position.
However, the Dolphins are not done yet, as they announced more roster cuts on Friday, per Adam Schefter.
“After the two sides could not agree on a contract, the Dolphins now are expected to release kicker Jason Sanders, per source. Sanders leaves Miami with a streak of 27 straight made field goals, and 9-of-9 on his last 50+-yard field goals.” Schefter reported on Friday.
Per the Sun Sentinel’s David Furones, this will save Miami around $7 million in cap space.
David Furones
Dolphins save close to $7M toward the salary cap by releasing Jason Sanders, Alec Ingold.
Dolphins Releasing Jason Sanders and Alec Ingold
“Dolphins save close to $7M toward the salary cap by releasing Jason Sanders, Alec Ingold.” Furones wrote.
Sanders originally signed a five year, $22 million extension back in 2021, coming off of his one and only All-Pro season in 2020 that saw him tie for the top scorer in the league, along with Daniel Carlson and Younghoe Koo.
He was set to count for $4.5 million against the cap in 2026 – the final year of his current deal – and his release saves the Dolphins $3.9 million.
Ingold on the other hand was poised to carry a $5.1 million cap number this season before the Dolphins released him, saving just over $3 million and incurring a shade under $2 million in dead cap.
Dolphins Clearing Space Ahead of Tua Release?
The $7 million may not seem like much, but the Dolphins need about as much help as they can get when it comes to whittling down their cap number, prior to what will be a sizeable hit from the seemingly impending Tua Tagovailoa release.
To move off Tua this season without trading him will cost Miami $99 million in dead cap in 2026, although it is almost certain that the team will decide to designate him as a post June 1 cap casualty, which lowers the damage to *just* $67 million this season.
That is still $11 million more than the Dolphins would otherwise be paying the former Alabama man, so it figures that an extra $7 million of the books would be useful.
Both players’ releases make sense: for Ingold, given that the Green Bay Packers – new head coach Jeff Hafley’s former employer – do not retain a true fullback on the roster, so it makes sense that the value of the ex-Raider’s services may have seemed surplus to requirements.
And for Sanders, who spent the entirety of the 2025 season on injured reserve, it would make sense that the Dolphins would be more inclined to re-sign their younger kicking option – Riley Patterson who had an excellent year in 2025, making 93% of field goals and 97% of extra points – over the older veteran.