Miami Dolphins
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The pair of Dolphins releases has provided some good news for Miami
The Miami Dolphins’ offseason has yet to come to an end. It began when the team announced therelease of All-Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill, followed by the release of Pro Bowl pass rusher Bradley Chubb.
Now,two additional movesinvolving players who have spent multiple years with the franchise have been made.Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Dolphins will be releasing All-Pro kicker Jason Sanders and Pro Bowl fullback Alec Ingold.
Reportedly, the Dolphins tried to renegotiate both of their contracts to lower their salary cap number, but once an agreement was not reached, the team decided to release the pair.
Why It’s Good News for the Miami Dolphins
Ultimately, losing two talented players like Sanders and Ingold hurts and depletes the roster. However, there is a bright side to the moves. Miami Herald writer Omar Kelly detailed the ramifications the move will have.
Kelly posted on X, “The release of Jason Sanders and Alec Ingold gets the Dolphins to $5 million in the black as Thursday’s start of the league new year begins.
Once Miami cuts Tua and Chubb as June 1 cuts they will gain another $9.1M later this summer. Most of that will be needed to sign the draft class, but the Dolphins basically have about $10M in cap space to work with during free agency. However, keep in mind everyone signed for $1.25M or less a year won’t count against their finances.”
While Sanders and Ingold both had strong seasons for the Dolphins in the past, neither of them play a premium position. With the Dolphins having little salary cap space, moving two players that can be considered luxuries is the smart move and will allow the team to pursue free agents who could fill more important needs.
Due to his position, Ingold plays less than half of the team’s offensive snaps. Meanwhile, Sanders missed the entire 2025 season with an injury. His replacement, Riley Patterson,with whom the team has not negotiated a new contract with, went 27-for-29 on field goal attempts last season.
Miami Dolphins Free Agent Outlook
Aside from the releases that have already been announced, the Dolphins are also expected topart ways with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
Miami will likely look into bringing a replacement for Tagovailoa in either free agency or the draft. The name most often mentioned as Tagovailoa’s replacement is free agent quarterback Malik Willis, who spent the past two years with the Packers and is familiar with head coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. When asked about the possibility of adding Willis,Sullivan said, “I think I’d be lying to you – any team that is in a needy QB situation, if they tell you they’re not talking about Malik Willis, that would be a lie… a lot of like for the human being, he’s a great kid.”
Additionally, the team is expected to add playmakers on offense as general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan revealed the team is looking to add size to the wide receiver position. A recent report listed theDolphins as the favorites to land free agent wide receiver Romeo Doubs, who was drafted by a front office in Green Bay that included Jon-Eric Sullivan.
Moves like that have now become more feasible due to the Dolphins parting ways with Jason Sanders and Alec Ingold.