Jon-Eric Sullivan throws cold water on one idea of what the Miami Dolphins’ summer strategy will be
The Miami Dolphins’ roster has no shortage of holes. Some will get plugged in the Draft — but what should we expect Miami to do with the rest? Jon-Eric Sullivan gave us a clue.
The Miami Dolphins‘ roster is going to look dramatically different in 10 days.
Miami is loaded to the brim with draft capital for this year’s 2026 NFL Draft. And with nearly a dozen picks at their disposal, it’s a safe assumption that new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan is going to load up the boat and get a ton of rookies into the mix. But what comes after that will be interesting.
Miami will see $20 million in salary cap space free upon June 1st, at which point Bradley Chubb’s release will be reflected on Miami’s accounting books. Will that wiggle room equate to spending? Per Sullivan in his pre-draft press conference, probably not.
Jon-Eric Sullivan throws cold water on the idea of the Miami Dolphins making a splash this summer

“I don’t think we have any tricks up our sleeve, to be honest with you. I think we’re going to stay disciplined and try to get back to a healthy cap situation, and we’ll probably sit tight with that. We need the (Bradley Chubb) money to sign our draft class, and then as I said many times over again to you guys, we need to be disciplined with the finances and get back to a healthy spot. So I do not foresee that happening.”
Dolphins GM Jon-Eric Sullivan
On the Dolphins' summer outlook for free agency
It makes a ton of sense. Miami is pressed up against the cap ceiling right now and then will need to sign their rookies, as Sullivan outlined. But the team will also need to have some cap space for the team’s practice squad. That would run several million dollars. The team also needs some wiggle room in the event of injuries throughout the course of the season.
And, of course, if the team opts to offer contract extensions to the likes of RB De’Von Achane, LB Jordyn Brooks, or C Aaron Brewer? That will require additional cap spending power as well. There’s not a lot of readily available spending power once you weigh those items into effect.
So it’s probably safe to take Sullivan’s word that there’s no summer splashes coming with veteran players. Instead, the Miami Dolphins appear poised to tend to their own, get these rookies under contract and press play towards a youth movement between the lines. Bring it on.
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