De’Von Achane skipping Miami’s first voluntary offseason workout isn’t about conditioning. It’s about leverage. Achane is eligible for an extension, and his absence is the clearest, simplest signal a player can send without getting fined. Get my money right, then I’ll roll through.
And let’s be real – the Dolphins understand the assignment. Don’t they? They have to, right? Head coach Jeff Hafley called it part of the business. GM Jon-Eric Sullivan has already labeled Achane a building block. And both have said an extension is a priority. Do we believe them? My buddy Lee (a lifelong Dolphins fan), for one, does not.
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He deserves the big bucks:
De’Von Achane (Miami Dolphins)
Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane (28) reacts after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Hard Rock Stadium. Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
But friends, the numbers don’t lie. In fact, they slap. He’s rushed for 3,057 yards on 544 carries in three seasons – 5.6 yards per carry – plus 172 catches for 1,277 yards, with 35 total TDs. And 2025? Oh, you know… no big deal – 1,350 rushing yards, 8 rushing TDs, 488 receiving yards, and 4 receiving TDs, while leading the league at 5.7 YPC. Achane isn’t asking Miami to pay for potential – he’s asking them to pay for elite production.
Miami can’t pretend this is business as usual. Tua is gone, Jaylen Waddle is gone, Tyreek is gone, and the Dolphins basically ripped out the offense’s old identity in one offseason. That’s why Achane matters more now than he did a year ago – he’s the one weapon left who can tilt the field, and if Miami wants a new offense to have any sort of a spine, Achane is the obvious centerpiece.
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Alternatives to not paying him:
Oct 19, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane (28) runs with the ball against the Cleveland Browns during the second quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
And what are the alternatives if Miami doesn’t pay him? They can tag him later, sure, and turn this into a yearly hostage negotiation. They can try to draft a back and sell the room on a youth movement. Or they can go bargain hunting for replacement production, which is how rebuilding teams stay forever rebuilding because they keep swapping real juice for committee mediocrity.
Either lock him in as part of the core, or let this drag into a messy standoff. Achane isn’t negotiating with feelings. He doesn’t have to. He’s got the leverage. And Miami can either match energy or keep pretending they want to field a winning football team.
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The smart move is simple. Extend Achane now, and build around him.
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