The Miami Dolphins’ offseason moves have officially begun. Under new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, the team is not wasting any time in making decisions on some of their highest-paid players and biggest contributors of the past few seasons. A report already revealed that the team was releasing pass rusher Bradley Chubb, who led the Dolphins with 8.5 sacks in the 2025 season.
The Dolphins did not stop there as they also released five-time All-Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill. Hill spent four seasons with the Dolphins, in which he had the two best statistical seasons by a receiver in franchise history. He failed to reach 1,000 receiving yards in his last two seasons in Miami, as his last season was cut short after suffering a dislocated knee in Week 4.
Miami made the moves as they are set to undergo a youth movement and due to the team previously having the fourth-least cap space in the NFL. Aside from those two moves, the releases have not stopped as the team has also released its top addition from last season’s free agency.
Miami Dolphins Release James Daniels
A new report by NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero has revealed that the Dolphins have also released guard James Daniels. Daniels signed a three-year, $24 million deal with the Dolphins prior to the 2025 season. He suffered an injury that turned out to be season-ending after three plays in the team’s Week 1 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
Miami signed Daniels, who was coming off an Achilles injury in 2024, and now has suffered season-ending injuries in back-to-back seasons. With Daniels out, the Dolphins leaned primarily on Cole Strange, whom the team signed after Daniels’ injury. Strange started 14 games for the Dolphins in the 2025 season, but he is set to be a free agent after the season. Jonah Savaiinaea, who struggled in his rookie season, is the only starting guard who is currently on the Dolphins roster.
The Dolphins have not announced whether Daniels is a post-June 1 release or a regular release. If he is not designated as a post-June 1 release, he will actually count more toward Miami’s dead money than he does in cap savings.
Dolphins Offseason Moves
Daniels was not the only 2025 free agent to be released by the team as Miami also released wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. Prior to the 2025 season, Westbrook-Ikhine signed a two-year, $5.99 million contract with the Dolphins. He failed to replicate the success he had with the Titans as he had the lowest number of receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns since his rookie season.
Despite increasing its cap flexibility with the totality of the transactions, the Dolphins also created holes on their roster. After a 7-10 season, Miami may be entering a transition period, as general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan has stated he prefers to draft-and-develop over signing players in free agency.
Miami Herald writer Barry Jackson stated that the team still needed to make a few more moves in order to field a competitive team in 2026. What those moves are remains to be seen.
Dolphins Cut Ties With $24 Million Starter