The Dolphins Are in Cap Trouble - But There’s a Blueprint for Getting Out
The Miami Dolphins are staring down a salary cap situation that looks downright brutal. On paper, it’s the kind of financial mess that could derail a franchise for years. But here’s the thing: smart teams have shown it’s possible to dig out - and even thrive - while carrying massive dead cap hits.
Just look at 2025. Of the 10 teams with the highest dead cap figures, five still made the playoffs. That includes contenders like the 49ers, Seahawks, Eagles, Jaguars, and Texans - all of whom managed to put together winning seasons despite carrying tens of millions in unusable cap space.
The 49ers, for example, were third in the league in dead cap last season with $103.6 million. On top of that, they battled a rash of injuries.
Still, they powered through to a 12-5 finish. That’s not just surviving - that’s competing at a high level under tough financial constraints.
So yes, the Dolphins are in a tough spot. But it’s not impossible. Let’s break it down.
The Cap Crunch in Miami
New general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and salary cap strategist Brandon Shore are walking into a storm. The Dolphins are projected to be $18 million over the cap heading into 2026 - and that’s before they even start making decisions on some of their biggest contracts.
Here’s the damage:
- Tua Tagovailoa: $67.4 million dead cap hit (likely cut)
- Jalen Ramsey: $20.7 million (already traded)
- Tyreek Hill: $15.9 million (likely cut)
- Bradley Chubb: $10.9 million (cut or restructure candidate)
- Terron Armstead: $10.7 million (retired)
Tagovailoa’s situation is the most significant. If the Dolphins move on from him - which is the expectation - his total dead cap hit balloons to $99.2 million. That could be split over two seasons, or the team could bite the bullet and absorb it all in 2026.
Either way, it’s a massive financial blow. But not an unprecedented one.
Remember when the Broncos cut Russell Wilson? That move left them with a league-high $89 million in dead cap in 2024, including $53 million tied directly to Wilson.
And yet, they went 11-6 that year and followed it up with a 14-3 campaign. That’s the kind of rebound Dolphins fans can look to for hope.
Resetting the Roster
The Dolphins went all-in for a title window - and came up short. No playoff wins. Now, it’s time to reset.
That means getting younger. Cheaper. More flexible.
Expect a roster filled with drafted and undrafted rookies in 2026. Expect minimum-deal veterans filling out the depth chart. It’s not glamorous, but it’s a necessary step in the process.
The quarterback position is a key factor here. Half of the teams that reached the divisional round of the playoffs did so with QBs on rookie deals. That kind of cap flexibility allows teams to spend more at premium positions - edge rusher, offensive tackle, cornerback, wide receiver - while still building a competitive roster.
Look at the 49ers again. Brock Purdy’s cap hit this season was just $9.1 million, even after his extension.
That kind of savings opens up all kinds of options. Of course, that number jumps to $57.6 million in 2028, so the window to capitalize is short.
But it’s a model Miami can follow in the short term.
Life After Tua
The Dolphins bet big on Tua Tagovailoa. He had flashes of brilliance, but the playoff results never came. And now, with his health and long-term outlook in question, that contract looks like a misstep.
But here’s where Miami can turn things around.
They’ve got two young quarterbacks in Quinn Ewers and Cam Miller - both on team-friendly rookie deals. That gives the front office some breathing room and a chance to build a more balanced roster around them.
The 49ers showed how it’s done. They absorbed major dead cap hits for players like Deebo Samuel, Arik Armstead, Charvarius Ward, Leonard Floyd, and Javon Hargrave - and still stayed in the hunt.
They didn’t tank. They retooled.
They hit on draft picks. They signed smart, affordable free agents.
That’s the blueprint.
The Path Forward
For Jon-Eric Sullivan and Brandon Shore, the challenge is clear: clean up the cap, reload the roster, and get the Dolphins back to contention.
That means:
- Maximizing rookie contracts
- Restructuring or moving on from expensive veterans
- Adding draft capital
- Making savvy, low-cost free agent signings
- Staying patient, but aggressive, in building a new core
It won’t be easy. But it’s been done before. And the Dolphins have the leadership and front office minds in place to pull it off.
The window they tried to force open with big-money moves didn’t result in playoff success. Now, it’s about building something sustainable - and smart. The road ahead is bumpy, but there’s a path forward.
And the work starts now.