The 2025 Miami Dolphins are a team teetering on the brink of even more seismic change. 

That change feels as though it is inevitable to some degree, as the lingering remnants of Miami's upswing in aggressive talent allocation from recent years are either on the outs, like cornerback Jalen Ramsey, or on the hot seat in 2025. Miami has undergone a youth movement and overhaul this past spring, with the objective being to realign the Dolphins for a brighter tomorrow; not just a hopeful today. 

Which players entering the 2025 season are set to play key roles for Miami but may be on the outs after this season plays itself out? Be it via a contract year or an awkward intersection of age and cost, there's no shortage of options for the Dolphins amid their projected starters. 

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Tyreek Hill, Wide Receiver

Hill is not in a contract year in 2025, but he is scheduled to be a costly asset in 2026. And with Hill's revolving door of drama, he's going to need to return to his 2023 form if Miami is going to consider signing themselves up for another year of the experience. 

Hill is scheduled to make $36 million in cash in 2026, but none of it is guaranteed until the third day of the league year next March, when $11 million in salary guarantees and a $5 million roster bonus comes due. That means the Dolphins could sever ties with Hill in early March and save $36 million in cash and $23.65 million in cap space

With Hill set to turn 32 years old next March, it will make for a fascinating decision with the Dolphins — especially if they end up ironing out an extension with Jonnu Smith and Jaylen Waddle takes a step forward in 2025.  

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Jonnu Smith, Tight End

Speaking of Smith, he's currently entering into a contract year this season after rewriting the Dolphins' record books at the position in 2024. Smith skipped mandatory minicamp to secure a new contract with the team but has failed, thus far, to find a breakthrough. 

The challenge facing him now is that Miami is entering into a potential "hot seat" season, and Smith is a bona fide fit for Mike McDaniel's offense. But what if Mike McDaniel isn't the coach in 2026? Would the Dolphins still want Smith to be under contract on a bigger, revised contract beyond this season? 

There's an outside, but slim, chance Smith has already played his last down in Miami — although we'd bet that doesn't come to pass. 

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Jaelan Phillips, EDGE Defender

These are supposed to be the best of times for Phillips. He, unlike Hill and Smith, is in the prime of his career. He just turned 26 years old last month. But he's set to play in 2025 on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract and has had his last two seasons marred by devastating injuries. 

An Achilles tear in 2023 and an ACL tear suffered via friendly fire in Week 4 of last season have cost Phillips time and a potential breakout season. 

As a result, he's now fighting to shake off the 'injury prone' label and faced with the prospect of doing so on the last year of his rookie contract. If he's successful, he could have a robust market awaiting him in free agency. Would he leap at the chance to cash in or would the Dolphins proactively get a contract done? 

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Bradley Chubb, EDGE Defender

Chubb, like Hill, is not in a contract year. But he missed all of last season after a severe knee injury in Week 17 of the 2023 season and took a pay cut to avoid being waived this offseason. 

Chubb's talent is undeniable but he's a player who is set to turn 30 years old next summer (he turns 29 today) and is scheduled to make $20.23 million in cash in 2026. There's a world in which Chubb earns that money — it must see him return to his 2023 form and stay healthy all season to become reality, though.

Between Chubb, who is out of guaranteed salary after this season, and Phillips, one is almost certain to be gone amid the rising costs and the presence of 2024 first-round draft choice Chop Robinson as a long-term piece in the room. 

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Kader Kohou, Cornerback

2025 is a big year for Kader Kohou. The former undrafted free agent is in a position to potentially take a huge leap this season. Kohou signed a restricted free agent tender to stay in Miami this offseason and, amid the ongoing rumors of a departure for Jalen Ramsey, could be Miami's top option at cornerback this fall. 

One of two thing is going to happen.

He's going to thrive in his first NFL season playing in the same scheme, or he's going to prove that he's a nickel-exclusive talent at the NFL level. If he thrives, he could earn a new contract from the team amid the vacancies at cornerback. But if he falters? Miami may opt not to pay a nickel defender and allow him to walk in free agency if he doesn't meet the moment. 

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