As the NFL's franchise tag window swings open, most teams are deep into calculations to retain their stars. But the Miami Dolphins are taking a different approach this year.
New GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley seem to be letting the March 3 deadline pass without much fuss. For Miami, the "Tag or Trade" decision isn't about which player to hold onto-it's about why they're opting to keep none.
The Dolphins' Strategic Reset
Miami finds itself in a financial bind this offseason, facing a nearly $30 million deficit just to break even. With the decision to move on from the Tua Tagovailoa era, applying a franchise tag-which could cost between $21 million for a corner like Kader Kohou and $28 million for a wide receiver-is simply off the table.
Tagging a player demands immediate cap space, and Miami is barely above water after shedding several hefty veteran contracts. With the team officially in rebuild mode under Hafley, their focus is on financial flexibility rather than retaining high-priced talent.
Another reason Miami is likely to sit out this window is their roster composition. The 2026 free-agent class for the Dolphins is filled with one-year prove-it deals and depth players. Contributors like Rasul Douglas, Larry Borom, and Ashtyn Davis have been solid, but none warrant the hefty price tag that comes with a franchise tag.
In a year where the Dolphins plan to be conservative in free agency and aggressive in the draft, paying top dollar for a single year of any free agent would contradict their new strategy of building through youth.
The Big Picture
The Dolphins aren't facing a "tag or trade" dilemma-they're in a "cut and collect" phase. By avoiding the tag, Miami can prevent further cap issues and position itself to be a savvy player in the second wave of free agency. The only tag Miami is interested in this February is the one they can remove from their books as they move forward.