
via Getty
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 06: Head coach Mike McDaniel of the Miami Dolphins speaks with Tua Tagovailoa #1 prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on November 06, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

via Getty
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 06: Head coach Mike McDaniel of the Miami Dolphins speaks with Tua Tagovailoa #1 prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on November 06, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Miami Dolphins have had a busy first week of free agency, but it seems they may have gone a bit overboard. After a breakout season for the Dolphins and QB Tua Tagovailoa, the Fins have a big summer to tackle. Even after their success in the regular season, the team failed to produce in the playoffs.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
This was largely due to the absence of their QB. Tua suffered a string of concussions over the season, causing the rising star to miss most of the latter half of the season, and the playoffs. The Dolphins went into the summer with not a lot of cap space to work with, but it seems like they might have hit a wall.
Miami Dolphins hit the bottom of the well
Maintaining cap space is one of the most important requirements of an NFL front office. With the last batch of contracts processed, the Dolphins now find themselves down to just $50,000 in cap space. The NFL Players Union has stated that the team has no more cap space available, leaving the Dolphins in a precarious financial situation.
And now, with last batch of contracts processed, Dolphins down to $50,000 in cap space, per overthecap. NFL players union says Fins have no more cap space. So they will need extensions/more restructurings/cuts to do anything else before June 1, when Byron's $13.4 M is available. https://t.co/ymipSgwoLB
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) March 21, 2023
The Dolphins will now need to get creative if they want to make any additional moves before June 1, when Byron Jones’ $13.4 million in cap space becomes available.
This means they will likely need to negotiate extensions, more restructurings, or make cuts to other areas of the team in order to free up additional cap space.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Dolphins have a packed chequebook at hand
Despite these potential solutions, the fact remains that the Dolphins’ front office is currently operating with very limited resources. This puts them in a difficult position as they try to build a competitive team for the upcoming season. The Dolphins’ situation is particularly challenging given the amount of money they have already committed to their roster.

via Imago
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – JANUARY 09: Miami Dolphins cornerback Byron Jones 24 walks off the field following the game between the New England Patriots and the Miami Dolphins on January 9, 2022 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fl. Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA JAN 09 Patriots at Dolphins Icon22010982135
In addition to Jones’ upcoming cap space becoming available, the team also has a number of large contracts on the books. This includes QB Tua Tagovailoa’s massive extension and the numbers of star WR Tyreek Hill. The Dolphins have their own way of working things out. If perhaps, as rumors suggest, Tom Brady himself was to return through the Fins, the front office would certainly move heaven and earth to make the deal happen.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Only time will tell if the Dolphins are actually able to make a move that frees up space on their roster.
Watch This Story: Hugh Jackman Unleashes his Inner Wolverine with Killer Core Workout for Deadpool 3
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT