Miami Dolphins
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The Dolphins received some good news heading into next season
The Miami Dolphins’ offseason plan has been a hard pill to swallow for Dolphins fans. The team has parted ways with most of the fan favorites on the roster, which has led toDolphins fans’ reactions going viralon social media. While some of the moves, like Tyreek Hill being released,were expected, others like the Jaylen Waddle trade came as a surprise to many.
Waddle was about to enter the first year of his three-year extension he signed prior to the 2024 season, and his cap hit was still manageable for the Dolphins. Ultimately, general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan decided that the trade package the Denver Broncos were willing to give up was too much to pass up for Miami.
As a result, the Dolphins lack skilled playmakers outside of Pro Bowl running back De’Von Achane. Fortunately, the team received some good news that will help the team improve in the long term.
Miami Dolphins Salary Cap
Miami Herald writer Barry Jackson revealed that the Miami Dolphins are projected to have the third-most available salary cap space in the NFL in 2027. Regarding Miami’s current situation,Jackson said, “By enduring the majority of that cap pain in 2026, the Dolphins should have ample flexibility to construct their roster, without significant limitations, in 2027, 2028 and beyond.”
Jackson added that even if the Dolphins potentially re-sign some of their top upcoming free agents like De’Von Achane, Jordyn Brooks and Aaron Brewer, the team should still have around $80 million in available cap space.
At that point, the Dolphins could also potentially look to re-sign left tackle Patrick Paul, who will be a free agent after the 2027 season. Paul allowed a 4.33% pressure rate from the left tackle position in 2025, which was the fourth-best among left tackles.
When being introduced as Miami’s general manager, Jon-Eric Sullivan listed Achane, Brooks, Brewer and Paul as players he was eager to build around. He was then asked about former Dolphins player Jaylen Waddle, and Sullivan praised the player, but that was only after being asked directly.
Dolphins Free Agency
Sullivan made it clear since he arrived that his philosophy will revolve around the draft, and free agency will be a complementary tool to build out the roster. While it is unlikely the Dolphins will return to their previous ways of “splash” free-agent signing sprees, if Miami proves to be competitive in 2026 and sets up the roster for success in 2027, adding high-caliber players to complement the roster in 2027 could be a realistic option.
A good example of that happening was the 2019 and 2020 Dolphins. In 2019, under head coach Brian Flores, the team won five games despite a lackluster roster; however, the team’s performance down the stretch resulted in belief that they could take another leap in the 2020 season. That led to the Dolphins signing veterans like Byron Jones, Kyle Van Noy, Emmanuel Ogbah, Eric Rowe, Elandon Roberts, etc. which led to Miami going 10-6.
While the 2026 season seems bleak, Dolphins fans can hope for a similar outcome this season, which would lay the foundation for success down the road. Additionally, the team has more draft capital than they did during the 2019 NFL Draft.