The Dolphins announced their latest potential insurance policy at offensive tackle
The Dolphins announced their latest free agency signing on Monday.
The Miami Dolphins made the decision to bring back right tackle Austin Jackson on an amended contract in 2026.
The move was likely aided by the fact that the Dolphins, frankly, don’t have a lot of resources to work with this offseason. Opening up a need at right tackle is a tough sell for a franchise that needs to build up their offensive line as a whole. And so Jackson is back with a pay cut — but his own injury issues in recent years are hard to ignore. Viable depth behind him is a must. The Dolphins locked in one viable depth option on Monday.
The Dolphins have signed free agent OT Charlie Heck
Charlie Heck is the newest signing by the Miami Dolphins. He comes to South Florida from Tampa Bay, by way of the Houston Texans. But this isn’t Heck’s first run-in with the Dolphins’ coaching staff, however. He did play for current Dolphins offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik in 2023, when Slowik held the same title for the Texans.
Heck played 246 regular season snaps for the Texans that year, all at right tackle. He collected half a dozen starts in Tampa Bay this past season as well — although as Evan Winter of A to Z Sports Tampa Bay recalls, he struggled in the starting role.
“Originally signed to be the team’s top swing tackle, Heck couldn’t even impress to the point where he was a Day 1 starter. This came after an offseason where Tristan Wirfs missed literally everything. Heck then practiced with the ones all offseason, giving him plenty of time to find his footing and make an impression with the starting lineup.
Instead, the Buccaneers felt more comfortable moving center Graham Barton to left tackle and guard Ben Bredeson to center, while promoting Mike Jordan from practice squad to left guard for the season-opener against the Falcons. Heck didn’t get his first opportunity until Luke Goedeke went down in Week 2.
That should tell you all you need to know, but in terms of on-field ability, Heck is more of a run blocker than pass blocker and should be considered nothing more than camp competition with slight potential to be an OK backup.” — Evan Winter, A to Z Sports Tampa Bay
In a perfect world, Heck will not be called upon to start in 2026 for the Dolphins. And, in a pinch, he’s an experienced veteran with time on task in the scheme who can get you through a block of snaps.
But as we know all too well, we don’t live in a perfect world.
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