New Era in Miami: Dolphins Face Cap Crunch, Key Free Agents, and Big Decisions Ahead
The Miami Dolphins are officially under new management, and the Jon-Eric Sullivan and Jeff Hafley era is underway. The message from Sullivan at the introductory press conference was crystal clear: this team is going to be built through the draft, with a strong emphasis on developing and retaining homegrown talent.
That’s a solid vision-but the reality right now is a little more complicated.
Cap Space Woes and Tough Calls Ahead
The Dolphins are staring down a $23.1 million deficit against the 2026 salary cap, per Spotrac. That’s the fifth-worst cap situation in the league, and it means Sullivan and Hafley won’t have much room to maneuver in free agency unless there are some restructures, trades, or tough goodbyes.
And there are decisions to make-big ones. Several key contributors from last season are set to hit the open market, and while Sullivan emphasized building from within, it remains to be seen whether this new regime sees these players as part of the long-term vision.
Rasul Douglas: A Veteran Presence Worth Keeping?
One name that should be high on the Dolphins’ internal priority list is cornerback Rasul Douglas. He arrived just before the season kicked off and, over time, emerged as arguably the team’s most reliable corner.
In a secondary that faced its share of ups and downs, Douglas brought stability and veteran savvy. If the Dolphins want to maintain a competitive edge on defense while developing younger corners, bringing Douglas back makes a lot of sense.
Greg Dulcich: Quiet Contributor with Upside
Another name to watch is tight end Greg Dulcich. After starting the season on the practice squad, Dulcich worked his way into the offensive rotation and carved out a role.
He may not have lit up the stat sheet, but his presence added versatility to the offense-something that could be valuable as the Dolphins reshape their identity under Hafley. He's the kind of low-cost, high-upside player who fits the "build from within" mantra.
Hafley’s Arrival: Big Expectations and Bold Moves
New head coach Jeff Hafley is already drawing praise from some big names in the football world. Troy Aikman recently placed Hafley in elite company and revealed he was sold on Miami’s new coach long before the hire was made official. That kind of endorsement doesn’t guarantee success, but it does speak to Hafley’s growing reputation around the league.
Still, not every move has been met with universal applause. One of Hafley’s most talked-about hires is already raising eyebrows-and not necessarily in a bad way. The hire may have been so successful that it’s drawing attention from other teams, potentially forcing Hafley to rework his staff sooner than expected.
Offensive Skill Positions: Trade Talk and Uncertainty
The Dolphins’ wide receiver room is back in the spotlight, with reports surfacing that Miami held trade discussions involving one of their top speed threats. And yes, those talks included AFC East rival Buffalo. It’s unclear how serious those conversations were, but it’s a reminder that no player is untouchable when a new front office takes over.
At running back, Alexander Mattison had an interesting start to his Dolphins tenure. He admitted he wasn’t initially intimidated by the situation-but in a backfield that’s been in flux, his role moving forward will be one to watch.
Trench Talk: Defensive Line Investment Under Review
Last offseason, Miami poured resources into the interior defensive line. Now, with a full season of tape to evaluate, the question is whether that investment paid off. Early signs suggest mixed results, and the team will need to decide how much more they’re willing to commit to the group-or whether a retool is in order.
Lessons from the Super Bowl Contenders
As the Dolphins look ahead, they’d be wise to study the blueprint of the teams playing for the Lombardi Trophy this Sunday. The Seahawks and Patriots both leaned heavily into building through the trenches and investing in defense. For a Dolphins team trying to make the leap from playoff hopeful to legitimate contender, those are lessons worth learning.
Looking Ahead: Draft Season Begins
With free agency looming and the cap situation tight, the draft will be even more critical this year. The Dolphins have already started their scouting process, and early mock drafts are giving fans a glimpse at potential targets. Expect Miami to lean heavily into this year’s class as they try to reshape the roster to fit Sullivan and Hafley’s vision.
This offseason is shaping up to be one of the most pivotal in recent Dolphins history. A new GM, a new head coach, and a whole lot of roster questions mean change is coming-whether fans are ready or not.