The Dolphins will have plenty of financial decisions to make this offseason at positions other than QB, too
Miami enters the 2024 NFL offseason roughly $40 million over the salary cap. That makes it very difficult not only to bring in new talent to supplement the current roster, but also just to retain the current players whose contracts have expired.
Miami is scheduled to lose at least seven players that entered the 2023 season as starters, and an additional five players that either filled in admirably at starter after injuries piled up or would be considered crucial depth pieces. The biggest names on the list are DT Christian Wilkins, C Connor Williams, and G Robert Hunt, all of whom performed at an elite level when on the field in 2023.
Wilkins will assuredly be seeking top dollar in the defensive tackle market. Much like at the QB position, the 2023 offseason saw a reset in the market for interior defensive linemen. Four of the five richest contracts at the position were handed out last offseason, all averaging between $20 million and $25 million annually. Wilkins’ stats and impact on games are certainly deserving of a contract within that range; the primary question will be if the team is able – or willing – to give it to him.
Hunt and Williams, both offensive linemen, have excelled at their positions over the last two seasons. Both dealt with injuries this past season, but that shouldn’t take away from their value to the team moving forward. Hunt is the more likely to return of the two, as he is a home-grown product drafted by Miami and has steadily improved over his four seasons. He also mentioned after the season that he and the team had previously had conversations about an extension, which would signal that the team is prioritizing his return.
Williams, currently rehabbing from an ACL tear late in the season, faces a long road to recovery and may not be able to play when the 2024 season begins. That could obviously impact his free agency value, and could make his return to the Dolphins less likely if he is steadfast in his contract demands that led him to holding out for a portion of last offseason.
The available money under the cap will be the biggest hurdle in keeping these players. There are, however, a few moves GM Chris Grier has at his disposal to free up some space, namely restructuring contracts or cutting disposable players.
Those most at risk of being cut would be DE Emmanuel Ogbah (who barely saw the field before injuries to starters forced him into action), LB Jerome Baker (who is serviceable and could be brought back on a re-worked deal), K Jason Sanders (who played well as of late, but has struggled the last few years), and QB Mike White (who is a tad expensive for a backup QB of his standing). CB Xavien Howard could find himself being cut as well, but it is trickier considering he is still owed nearly $26 million due to guarantees in his contract.
When in doubt, Grier can always go back to the well of restructuring contracts as he did last offseason, which essentially kicks the can down the road on a portion of a contract. The team would stand most to gain in the short-term by restructuring the deals of Tyreek Hill, Jalen Ramsey and Bradley Chubb, which would free up roughly $45 million against the cap.
With just the cuts and restructures mentioned above, the team could go from $40 million over the cap to $52 million under the cap, which would reward Miami with much more flexibility in keeping the players they see as essential.
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