The Miami Dolphins’ rookie influx could put some veterans on notice due to team’s new contract quirks in 2026
There’s not a lot of security to go around for non-tenured starters in Miami.
It’s not exactly a secret that the Miami Dolphins are operating on a limited budget in 2026. Over 60% of the team’s salary cap structure this season is committed to players who are no-longer under contract with the team. That includes names like Bradley Chubb, Tua Tagovailoa, Jalen Ramsey, Tyreek Hill, Terron Armstead, Jaylen Waddle, and others.
What’s left behind is a young nucleus of players and a collection of hungry, motivated veterans looking to secure some long-term stability. And there’s a lot of the latter in this group for the Miami Dolphins. On the heels of the draft, it’s worth inspecting who has leverage for a roster spot — and who the team could easily move on from to help make room for more youngsters. The almighty dollar speaks louder than ever in South Florida this season. Accordingly, anyone who didn’t get some up front should be on notice.
Several Miami Dolphins veteran players could be first on the roster bubble thanks to a contract quirk
A signing bonus or, alternatively, a paid out roster bonus, is good news for a player hoping to stay in Miami. The more cash has already been paid to the leftovers of Miami’s purge, the more likely they are to be “essential personnel” in 2026. That includes names like Aaron Brewer and De’Von Achane (salary conversions). It includes free agent signing Malik Willis. Tight end Greg Dulcich got nearly a $1.9 million signing bonus on his one-year extension.
But other than that? Nearly all bets are off. Willis, Dulcich, and right tackle Austin Jackson are the only players on the roster with signing bonuses that surpass $300k. That will change once the rookie contracts start rolling in. Many of the Miami Dolphins’ rookie contracts will not count against the top-51 offseason cap figure. But the moment there’s a signing bonus rendered, consider those talents on the inside track for a roster spot.
Names like Omar Brown, Zack Kuntz, Cole Turner, Tucker Addington, Terrace Marshall Jr, Ronnie Harrison, Alex Austin, David Ojabo? There’s little to no guarantees there, and there was no money paid up front. That is a far cry from Bradley Pinion, Joshua Uche, Tutu Atwell, Jalen Tolbert, and Darrell Baker Jr., though. The latter group did not receive signing bonuses but does have their salaries for 2026 guaranteed.
Chasing the carrot
General manager Jon-Eric Sullivan referred to it as a carrot that the veterans are chasing. Miami, in that sense, has a lot of carrots out in front of the talent. But those carrots also bring flexibility for Miami to cut many of their free agent signings loose with no repercussions. Some may end up on the block quickly as a byproduct of Miami’s undrafted rookie pool and a hefty rookie class. If you want to know who is most at risk, check out the signing bonus and guaranteed salary structure.
Most of these guys don’t have either, which is a change of operations from years past. The ones that do? They should be considered to be in good shape.
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