Miami Dolphins
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The Dolphins lost punter Jake Bailey to the Atlanta Falcons
The Miami Dolphins have been turning over their roster due to their issues with the NFL salary cap. As things currently stand, the Dolphins are $1.8 million over the cap ahead of the new league year on March 11. This comes despite the fact Miami has lost talent on all sides of the ball in an effort to improve their salary cap situation.
Their first big move wasreleasing All-Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill. Then, before the legal tampering period of free agency began, the team released All-Pro kicker Jason Sanders and Pro Bowl fullback Alec Ingold. Now, the team let punter Jake Bailey walk to the Atlanta Falcons.
Miami Dolphins Punter Signs With Falcons
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Atlanta Falcons were signing former Dolphins punter Jake Bailey to a three-year, $9 million contract. After spending the first four years of his career with the New England Patriots, which included a first-team All-Pro selection in 2020, the Miami Dolphins signed punter Jake Bailey ahead of the 2023 NFL season.
Bailey spent the past three seasons with the Dolphins, as he gradually improved over his time with the team. He was originally let go by the Patriots after a tough 2022 season, but he became a solid special teams player for the Dolphins.
Sports Illustrated’s Alain Poupart wrote of Bailey’s time with Miami, “As for Bailey, he leaves after three seasons in Miami, the last one being his best. Bailey withstood a challenge for NFL record-holder Ryan Stonehouse in training camp to win the punting job and had a tremendous season until he faded a bit down the stretch.
In Atlanta, Bailey will be reunited with special teams coordinator Craig Aukerman, who handled that role for Miami last season. Bailey got a three-year deal worth $9 million from the Falcons, which priced him out for a Miami team in a tight cap situation.”
Miami Dolphins Roster
Losing Bailey creates a new need for the Dolphins as they are currently without a punter on the roster. The Dolphins did address their special teams needs in free agency, as they agreed to terms with kicker Zane Gonzalez.
However, the Dolphins roster is still in a non-ideal situation as they have holes throughout the roster and they lack the salary-cap space to address those issues. Due to their current salary cap situation,Poupart added, “What appears most certain is that the Dolphins probably won’t be making many additions beyond minimum-salary players over the next couple of days.”
The Dolphins entered free agency with over 20 unrestricted free agents, and Miami Heraldwriter Barry Jackson reported that many of them are looking to sign elsewhere. He wrote,“Miami has more than 20 remaining unrestricted free agents but many are looking elsewhere, as the new regime seeks new players at several spots. Cornerback Kader Kohou is among those exploring new opportunities.”
Kohou suffered a season-ending knee injury prior to the start of the 2025 regular season,but has been cleared medically.Miami currently lacks starting cornerback experience on the roster, but the report makes it unlikely that Kohou returns to the Dolphins.