The Miami Dolphins are currently $5.4 million over the salary cap, not accounting for the NFL’s annual cap increase. Adjustments will need to be made, including player cuts and restructures to free up space. Some players should be offered new contracts to lower their current cap hits. Their on-field performances deserve at least one or two more seasons. General manager Chris Grier must find ways to make it work, giving himself more room to address the roster.
In 2024, the Dolphins extended Tyreek Hill and Jalen Waddle, but this was a questionable move that ended up being money poorly spent. They could have waited to extend Tua Tagovailoa, potentially adjusting his deal by playing out his fifth-year option. While these decisions are in the past, Grier cannot afford to repeat such moves.
Looking at the current roster, only two players stand out as deserving new contracts, mainly because others have recently received extensions. Jonnu Smith deserves an extension from the Dolphins. Smith’s two-year deal signed last year has no guaranteed money remaining, but he still counts $4.6 million in cap space. Cutting him would save over $4 million, but that’s not the ideal option. A restructure would be a logical move, allowing Smith another season with a contract that reduces his 2025 salary. It’s a reasonable choice for both sides.
Jason Sanders, meanwhile, could save the Dolphins over $3 million in cap space. Sanders performed well last year, making it unlikely that the team will move on from him. Cutting Sanders would only create $1.3 million in dead space, with $3.3 million saved. His current deal runs through 2026, counting $4.7 million this year and $4.5 million in 2025. It may be time to remove the voided 2027 portion of his contract and restructure some of his money.