Dolphins Release Star Players
Miami released pass rusher Bradley Chubb and are potentially moving Tua and Tyreek Hill while keeping Jaylen Waddle. The team also traded Jaelan Phillips as part of a major roster overhaul. Tyreek Hill is entering free agency for the first time after his surprising release.
- The release of pass rusher Bradley Chubb provides the Dolphins with $7.3 million in salary cap savings for 2026, though it comes with a significant $23.8 million in dead money. Chubb missed the entire 2024 season due to a torn ACL. - By releasing wide receiver Tyreek Hill, Miami frees up approximately $22.8 million in salary cap space. The move follows a severe knee injury Hill suffered in September 2025. - The trade of Jaelan Phillips to the Philadelphia Eagles brought the Dolphins a 2026 third-round draft pick. Phillips has a history of significant injuries, including a torn Achilles in 2023 and a torn ACL in 2024. - Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's four-year, $212.4 million contract extension, signed in July 2024, makes him difficult to move. Releasing him would result in a record-setting $99.2 million in dead money against the 2026 salary cap. - In contrast to the other moves, the Dolphins committed to receiver Jaylen Waddle with a three-year, $84.75 million extension in May 2024, which includes $76 million in guaranteed money. - These roster changes are largely driven by the Dolphins' challenging salary cap situation, as they were projected to be well over the cap limit heading into 2024. - The trade of Jaelan Phillips reunites him with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who previously held the same position with the Dolphins. To complete the trade, Miami agreed to pay $5.1255 million of Phillips' remaining salary. - Before his injury-shortened 2025 season, Tyreek Hill had a major impact on the Dolphins' offense, recording consecutive seasons with over 1,700 receiving yards in 2022 and 2023.
