Miami Dolphins
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The Lions signed former Miami Dolphins offensive lineman
The Miami Dolphins are in a rebuilding stage after back-to-back seasons of missing the postseason. Former Dolphins management put the team in this spot after giving out large extensions that would eventually leave Miami in a difficult salary cap situation.
In particular, the Tua Tagovailoa extension in 2024 seems like a move the Dolphins regret. Afterreleasing the former Pro Bowl quarterback, the Dolphins will have to absorb $99 million in dead money, which the team will split over the next two seasons. As a result, the Dolphins have now released Tyreek Hill, Bradley Chubb, Jason Sanders, Alec Ingold, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, James Daniels, and traded Minkah Fitzpatrick in an effort to become salary cap compliant.
Despite these moves, the Dolphins are still $1.7 million over the cap.
That is why the team is letting most of its free agents walk. Now, they have seen an offensive lineman who started 11 games during the 2025 season join the Detroit Lions.
Former Miami Dolphins Offensive Lineman Joins Detroit Lions
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that the Detroit Lionshad agreed to terms with former Dolphins offensive lineman Larry Borom on a one-year deal. Prior to the 2025 season, Borom signed a one-year $2.5 million contract with Miami, as he was penciled in as one of the top backups along Miami’s offensive line.
A Week 1 injury to Austin Jackson thrust Borom into the starting lineup early in the year. He would then start the following 10 games for Miami before Jackson’s return in Week 13. Once Jackson returned, Borom became Miami’s swing tackle, which resulted in him playing only eight offensive snaps over the next five games. He did return to the team’s starting lineup for the regular season finale against New England.
During the season,Borom received a 60.7 overall grade by Pro Football Focus, which ranked him as the 64th-best tackle out of 89 qualified.
Regarding Borom’s departure,Sports Illustrated’s Alain Poupart wrote, “Borom came to Miami with the reputation as a much more efficient guard than tackle, but he acquitted himself very respectably during his time in the starting lineup and he’s someone the Dolphins probably would have been amenable to bringing back at the right price.”
Miami Dolphins Offensive Line
While Borom was not projected to be a starter for the Dolphins in the 2026 season, losing a player with starting experience hurts. The details on his new contract with the Detroit Lions have not yet been revealed, but the Dolphins having a player with 38 career starts would have been valuable.
In particular, the Dolphins need improvement out of the guard position. During the 2025 season, Miami had three different players start at right guard: James Daniels, Kion Smith and Cole Strange. Daniels suffered a season-ending injury three snaps into the season and was later released, Smith started two games for Miami before getting benched, and Strange started 14 games,but signed with the Chargers in free agency. Smith is the only player on the Dolphins roster who has started a game with the team at right guard.