Three Miami Dolphins veterans still missing something every player wants in their contract
The only thing better than long-term security is short-term security and these three Miami Dolphins veterans technically have neither.
The Miami Dolphins‘ salary cap ledger for 2026 is the equivalent of an accounting graveyard.
More than 60% of the team’s allotted cap space is committed to players no longer on the roster. You’ve heard the story by now. And you know the rundown of the names, so we won’t go there. But as we look ahead to the 2026 season, it’s worth noting who among the leftover players do and don’t have some security with their deals in Miami. Because while Miami has actively shed old contracts and maxed out their annual payment against the debt of the past, they’re not in a great position to continue giving money away. Here are three notable players on Miami’s roster who are lacking protection in the form of guaranteed money.
Three Miami Dolphins players missing short-term security via a guaranteed salary in 2026
LB Jordyn Brooks
Jordyn Brooks isn’t a cut candidate by any means, let’s get that out of the way. Could he, theoretically, still be traded this summer? Technically yes, as the Dolphins haven’t addressed his contract in any way, shape, or form. But Brooks is is owed $7.8 million in non-guaranteed salary as of now, which is different than even pre-extension Aaron Brewer because the Dolphins converted Brewer’s salary to a bonus for cap purposes.
Brooks has had no such manipulation done on his contract. You can assume for yourself why, but there are several possibilities. Either way, he’s the only player on Miami’s offseason roster with a base salary higher than $2.5 million this season. And none of it is (currently) guaranteed. An extension could change that, too — but either way here we are.
LB Tyrel Dodson
Brooks is the only player with a base salary this season (not total compensation) higher than $2.5 million and Tyrel Dodson is the only other player with a base salary higher than $1.9 million. It’s a pretty exclusive club. These 2026 Dolphins contracts are either rookie deals, one-year minimum contracts, or maxed out pay in 2026 for cap purposes.
Dodson is a rarity. He’s also in a bit more of a precarious spot than Brooks with the rookie competition. Dodson was the ‘green dot’ player for Miami’s defense last season. And 2026 second round draft pick Jacob Rodriguez has already had that expectation of responsibility put on him by team leadership. The question is how fast it happens. If Rodriguez explodes in training camp, would the Dolphins save some extra salary by moving on from Dodson? Dodson is in the final year of his deal, owed $2.355 million in salary, and has none of it guaranteed.
At his pay rate, the Dolphins would also be well within their rights to keep him for depth and special teams play if he doesn’t keep a starting job going into the season. But it’s all on the table with no guarantees.
CB JuJu Brents
Brents is the third and final player on the Miami Dolphins’ offseason roster with a base salary higher than $1.5 million for 2026. Brents is owed $1.867 million in base salary for 2026. It’s the fourth and final year of his rookie contract.
After promising flashes from Brents, his season was cut short due to injury — an all too familiar situation for a gifted player. But with no guaranteed money owed out of his salary for this season, Brents will need a healthy summer and fall to see things through. Miami’s cornerback room is crowded too — so he needs to affirm his ability with a strong performance or else Miami could opt to bet on others who are several thousand dollars cheaper this season.
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