Miami Dolphins
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The Dolphins lost an offensive lineman to the Detroit Lions
The Miami Dolphins’ goal this offseason has been clear. They want to shed large contracts of veteran players, and aim for sustainable winning long-term. Currently, that means improving their salary cap situation by opting to sign players to veteran minimum contracts with the hope that their new coaching staff can help them thrive in Miami.
Entering free agency, the Dolphins roster included a large number of free agents, and most of them have not been retained by Miami. A likely reason is most of them have preferred higher salaries on other teams than the veteran minimum in Miami. One of those cases is a Dolphins offensive lineman, who ended up playing a big role for the Dolphins during the 2025 season and will now join the Detroit Lions.
Former Miami Dolphins Player Signs $5 Million Contract
During the NFL’s legal tampering period of free agency,NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero reported that former Dolphins offensive tackle Larry Borom had agreed to a one-year contract with the Lions. Now,OverTheCap has revealed that Borom’s contract will be worth $5 million.
Borom was a key member of the Dolphins’ offensive line during the 2025 season, as a Week 1 injury to Austin Jackson thrust Borom into the starting lineup early in the year. He then started 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.
Despite playing an important role for Miami, Borom’s $5 million cap hit would have been the eighth-largest cap hit for a Dolphins player this season.
Additionally, this past week theDolphins restructured Austin Jackson’s contract, as they added void years to reduce the cap hit he was set to have in the 2026 season.
With the Dolphins looking to reduce large contracts, $5 million for a backup offensive tackle did not seem viable given their current salary cap troubles.
Miami Dolphins Offensive Line
Unfortunately, the Dolphins will now have to hope to get a healthy season out of Austin Jackson. Jackson. Jackson has missed 20 games due to injury over the past two seasons. He currently has one year left on his deal with a $6.8 million cap hit.
Due to Jackson’s restructure, he will now carry a $12.8 million cap hit next season despite not having a contract with the team beyond the 2026 season. Miami is currently projected to lead the NFL in dead money next season.
Despite being drafted in the 2020 NFL Draft, Jackson is still only 26 years old, and could earn a contract extension with a solid performance this year. His best season occurred in 2023, as he cemented himself as Miami’s starting right tackle and earned anabove-average overall grade of 68.4 by Pro Football Focus. That season resulted in him earning a $36 million extension.
Regarding the state of the offensive line,Sports Illustrated’s Dante Collinelli wrote, “Right now, you can pencil in Salyer as the team’s starting right guard. Miami’s offensive line is LT Patrick Paul, LG Jonah Savaiinaea, C Aaron Brewer, RG Jamaree Salyer, and RT Austin Jackson. That group will be responsible for protecting new QB Malik Willis.”