The Miami Dolphins are making waves this offseason - and not just on the field. The front office continues to reshape the roster, parting ways with a pair of veterans as the team looks to create financial flexibility and refocus its depth chart.
According to multiple reports, the Dolphins have released offensive guard James Daniels and wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, two players who were brought in with expectations but ultimately saw limited impact in 2025.
Daniels, 28, had a tough break - literally and figuratively. After signing a three-year deal with Miami in free agency, he played just three snaps before suffering a pectoral injury in the season opener.
That injury landed him on injured reserve for the remainder of the year, and now his Dolphins tenure ends before it ever really got started. The move frees up $6.5 million in cap space for 2027, giving Miami some long-term breathing room as they continue to navigate a complex financial landscape.
Westbrook-Ikhine, meanwhile, was a more active contributor in 2025, though his role remained limited. He appeared in 15 games and made three starts, finishing the season with 11 receptions for 89 yards.
Solid depth, but not irreplaceable production. His release clears $1.5 million from the 2026 cap - a smaller number, but every dollar counts when a team is trying to stay competitive while managing big contracts elsewhere on the roster.
These moves come on the heels of two even bigger names being shown the door: edge rusher Bradley Chubb and star receiver Tyreek Hill were also released on Monday in what’s shaping up to be a dramatic offseason reset for Miami.
The Dolphins are clearly not afraid to make bold decisions as they retool the roster. Whether this is a strategic cap-clearing phase ahead of a major rebuild or a calculated reshuffling to stay in win-now mode with a different supporting cast remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure - Miami is on the move, and the roster turnover is just getting started.