The Miami Dolphins needed a kicker, and they at least did their homework on a big name before landing on a different option.
According to a post on X by Jordan Schultz, Miami brought in Justin Tucker for a workout before deciding to sign Zane Gonzalez.
“Sources: The #Dolphins are signing K Zane Gonzalez after a workout today that I’m told also included 7× Pro Bowler Justin Tucker. Gonzalez is set to join Miami pending a physical.”
Tucker has not kicked in the NFL since 2024. The Ravens moved on from the 13-year veteran after off-field issues, and he was reinstated to the league this summer following a 10-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
Gonzalez, meanwhile, fits the definition of an NFL traveler. Miami will be his sixth team in seven seasons.
The kicker move comes with the Dolphins sitting at 0-5, a start that has left them with more questions than answers. Jeff Hafley, who doesn’t exactly look like he has the answers locked down himself, said the team is taking time during the bye week to evaluate where things stand and figure out what comes next, according to miamidolphins.com.
“There's things that you look back on because you have some extra time,” Hafley said. “For defense, for example, there's things that we haven't run that we ran in training camp that we just haven't carried in the game plans, so you can go and pull back some stuff.
Are we ready to add or do we want to throw out some stuff and bring some of the stuff that we did throughout training camp? Because you can't carry everything into a game.
“But really looking back through, we kind of have done it every week. So with such a small sample size, it's not huge, but a really good time to evaluate and catch your breath and sometimes when you get to step back, you can see some things clearly.”
Miami’s next stretch does not give it much breathing room. The Dolphins go to the Jets, then return home for games against the Patriots and Lions.
In Other News...
Dolphins Kicking Decision Just Got More Complicated Than Fans Expected
The Dolphins spent time sorting through the kicking market this summer, and the picture has only gotten murkier. Justin Tucker was reinstated to the NFL in late July after serving a 10-game suspension for violating the leagues personal conduct policy, then went through workouts with the Jets, Saints, Colts and Dolphins as teams weighed whether to bring him in.
Miamis path at the position appears to be moving in a different direction, with Zane Gonzalez now part of the conversation after a career that has included several signings and releases. He most recently landed a one-year deal with the Dolphins for the 2026 season, a move that gives the team another layer to its kicking plans as the Tucker situation continues to linger in the background. [Read more 🡒]
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Jacksonvilles general manager has tried to tamp down the rumor mill, insisting the chatter is not driving the teams decisions. Still, Thomas reduced target share and the fact that his contract situation is getting closer to a pressure point make this the kind of situation that can linger, even when the public stance says otherwise. For Dolphins fans, the appeal is obvious, and so is the uncertainty, because a player like Thomas is exactly the sort of target that can move from speculation to something more serious quickly. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins Kicking Problem Just Forced A Move Fans Saw Coming
The Dolphins have been searching for stability at kicker, and the latest move shows just how seriously theyre treating the issue. Miami is signing free agent Zane Gonzalez pending a physical after holding kicker workouts on Tuesday, a clear sign the team wanted another look at options as Riley Patterson has struggled with his field goal and extra point success rate this season.
Gonzalez is already familiar with the Dolphins building, having competed for the job earlier this offseason before an August injury derailed that run. He later reached an injury settlement with Miami, and now the door is open for another chance to claim the role if the physical checks out. [Read more 🡒]