The Miami Dolphins’ roster churn just kicked into a new gear with several goodbyes

The Miami Dolphins’ roster turnover has been, in a word, plentiful. It just reached a new gear with more than half-a-dozen new releases announced.

Kyle Crabbs — NFL National Writer
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Jan 4, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Miami Dolphins linebacker Derrick McLendon (59) walks out of the player tunnel before the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. David Butler II-Imagn Images

The Miami Dolphins roster churn just kicked into another gear.

To date, the turnover for players off of the 2025 roster was largely reserved for free agents and older, more expensive players amid the need to save cash and cap space. Picking out players like Tyreek Hill and Bradley Chubb weren’t difficult as starting points. But now, with the 2026 NFL Draft in the books and a slew of undrafted rookies also joining the fray? Miami has said goodbye to more than half a dozen lower level players who were fighting to make an impression.

Miami Dolphins waive/release more than a half-dozen bottom of the roster players

Some of these moves are simply formalities. The Dolphins entered the 2026 NFL Draft with two specialists at each position; it was always going to be hard to justify carrying six specialists amid the need for growth from the position players in just about every room. So consider no surprises for names like punter Seth Vernon and long-snapper Taybor Pepper.

The other four? Injuries appear to have played a part. Cornerbacks Isaiah Johnson and Jason Maitre were both coming off of major injuries in 2025. Johnson tore his ACL in practice, while Maitre spent the season on injured reserve.

Jan 4, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Miami Dolphins linebacker Derrick McLendon (59). David Butler II-Imagn Images

That leaves linebacker KC Ossai, tight end Zack Kuntz, and pass rusher Derrick Mclendon as the other releases. The Mclendon decision is the most painful, in my eyes. He clearly has potential as a player but did not get opportunities until late in the season. And now, he’s a part of the collateral from a regime change. Miami has several other pass rushers coming in via free agency of the NFL Draft — and a former undrafted rookie from a prior general manager and coaching staff was never going to get much grace.

He’ll now look to get a new start elsewhere. The Dolphins ultimately got reinforcements via the draft in all three position rooms, with linebackers Jacob Rodriguez & Kyle Louis, tight end Will Kacmarek, and pass rushers Trey Moore and Max Llewellyn entering the fray.

These cuts won’t be the last. But with rookie minicamp around the corner, they are the next ones in a season filled with change.

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