The NFL offseason is in full swing, and several of the league's most recognizable names are finding themselves on the move. In a flurry of cost-saving roster decisions, the Miami Dolphins have released star wide receiver Tyreek Hill, two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Bradley Chubb, and a pair of offensive players in James Daniels and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.
What this really means is that the Dolphins are undertaking a major rebuild under new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley. The bigger picture here is that they're clearing over $56 million in cap space to completely reshape the roster and try to end their 26-year playoff win drought. It's a bold and risky move, but one that signals they're serious about creating a sustainable winner in Miami.
The Tyreek Hill Era Ends in Miami
The most high-profile move is undoubtedly the release of Tyreek Hill, who was acquired by the Dolphins in a blockbuster 2022 trade with the Kansas City Chiefs. Hill, a five-time All-Pro and eight-time Pro Bowler, was immediately signed to a four-year, $120 million contract that made him the highest-paid wide receiver in the league at the time.
Hill lived up to that price tag in his first two seasons, posting back-to-back 1,700-yard campaigns and leading the NFL in receiving yards in 2023. However, his production dipped in 2024, and he suffered a major knee injury last September that required surgery and ended his 2025 season. With no guaranteed money left on his deal, the Dolphins have decided to move on from the 32-year-old Hill.
Dolphins Clearing the Decks for a Reset
In addition to Hill, the Dolphins are also parting ways with Chubb, Daniels, and Westbrook-Ikhine as part of a broader effort to reshape the roster. Chubb was acquired in a 2022 trade and signed a lucrative extension, but the former Broncos star is coming off a serious knee injury of his own.
The Dolphins are likely not done either, with reports indicating they could also move on from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the coming months. It's a bold, comprehensive roster overhaul as the Dolphins aim to build a sustainable winner in the AFC East.
While these moves may be painful in the short term, the Dolphins are clearly prioritizing long-term success over immediate results. By clearing significant cap space and parting ways with high-profile names, they're positioning themselves to be aggressive in free agency and the draft as they seek to end their playoff drought. It's a risky gamble, but one that could pay dividends if the new regime can find the right pieces to build around.