Omar Kelly: Dolphins have extensive to-do list this offseason

MIAMI — The shelves are bare, and the pennies are being pinched.

The Miami Dolphins have spent the majority of Steve Ross’ tenure as the franchise’s owner as one of the NFL’s biggest spenders, but South Florida’s football franchise is paying the price for years of living outside its means.

Trades for big-money players, and lucrative extensions given the past few years have left the Dolphins’ new decision-makers in a financial bind, possessing less than $1 million in cap space after releasing three veteran players last month. And more cuts, and possible shakedowns are likely coming.

As a result of the franchise’s financial mismanagement, the Dolphins will likely be taking a fiscally responsible approach for the second straight offseason in an attempt to balance the books.

That means expect bargain shopping, not whale hunting when free agency opens next week even though the roster has more holes than most offseasons.

But that’s what happens when a franchise is rebuilding, which is exactly what the Dolphins are doing after ditching the rebuild former general manager Chris Grier started, and Mike McDaniel was unable to finish.

“All the R-words. Retool, rebuild, refocus. I don’t like that because it gives the connotation that we’re mailing it in this year. That’s 100% not what’s going on,” new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan said last week at the NFL Combine. “We’re here to compete, play our [butt] off and win football games as we build this thing out.”

Here are the 10 issues Sullivan and new head coach Jeff Hafley must address before the regular season opens in September:

Create a game plan at QB

The Dolphins and Tua Tagovailoa are embarking on a divorce. All that’s left are the complicated details of how to finalize the separation because removing Tagovailoa from the roster as one of the team’s two June 1 releases will result in a $11.1 million cap space reduction. Miami’s decision-makers have openly admitted they are trying to trade the team’s six-year starter, but nobody’s taking on Tagovailoa’s bloated contract, which guarantees him $54 million. At the moment, the Dolphins don’t have the cap space to sign a possible replacement, so don’t be surprised if they turn to the draft to get Quinn Ewers and Cam Miller, two second-year players, competition.

Rebuild the O-line

The Dolphins have two foundational players on the offensive line in Patrick Paul, who shined as a first-year starter in his second season, and center Aaron Brewer, who was one of the top performers at his position last year. But the rest of the offensive line is a mystery, especially since the Dolphins are seemingly trying to shake down starting right tackle Austin Jackson, restructuring his contract to create cap space. Miami must find two starting-caliber offensive guards and add a pair of backup offensive tackles this offseason. And the franchise must do it on the cheap.

Find a trade partner for Fitzpatrick

The last time the Dolphins were doing this type of roster rebuild Fitzpatrick demanded a trade, and received it because he wasn’t onboard with how the organization was conducting business. Even though Miami re-acquired Fitzpatrick in a trade last offseason, and restructured his contract to keep him happy, that doesn’t mean he wants to be part of yet another Dolphins rebuild. Trading Fitzpatrick, who hasn’t formally asked to be moved (a formality), would create $5.8 million in cap space. But the Dolphins won’t be giving the five-time Pro Bowler away. Expect he will be moved for a third- or fourth-round pick, or Miami could hold onto him till the trade deadline.

Extend De’Von Achane, or trade him

Expect De’Von Achane to play hardball with the Dolphins this offseason because tailbacks have a short shelf life, which means their window to make big money as professionals is brief. That’s why Achane and his camp will be pressing the Dolphins for a multiyear extension that guarantees him $30 million, putting him in the neighborhood of the five-year, $51 million contract Buffalo gave James Cook last summer. The Dolphins will likely attempt to drag this out, which could motive Achane to skip some portions, if not all, of the offseason program. Expect interested teams to make Miami offers trying to poach the 2026 Pro Bowler, who is on the books for $5.7 million this season. But anything less than a second-round pick would be an insult.

Find three athletic pass rushers

With Brandon Chubb expected to become a June 1 release, which will create $20.2 million in cap space the team can’t utilize until June 1, the shelves are bare at edge rusher. Chubb’s removal leaves Chop Robinson and Derrick McClendon as the only edge rushers on the roster heading into the offseason program. However, it shouldn’t be too challenging to re-sign Cameron Goode or Quinton Bell for the NFL minimum if that’s the team’s desire. Because edge rushers are usually expensive, expect Miami to address that position early in the 2026 draft.

Add three starting-caliber cornerbacks

Rasul Douglas, who had a phenomenal 2025 season, Jack Jones, and Kader Kohou, who missed all of last season with a knee injury, are all unrestricted free agents. Seeing as how Miami intends to get younger and cheaper, I would be surprised if any of those three veteran cornerbacks return. But Kohou is a possibility considering he’s still rehabbing an ACL injury and might be signed at a discount. Whether it’s through free agency or the draft, the Dolphins need to find viable starters better than Storm Duck, Ethan Bonner and Jason Marshall Jr.

Add two starting-caliber safeties

Ashytn Davis and Ifeatu Melifonwu are both free agents, and considering neither stood out as starters for Miami last season, don’t be surprised if they move on elsewhere unless they accept minimum salary based contracts from the Dolphins. That means Dante Trader Jr. and Jordan Colbert are the only safeties in the room if Fitzpatrick gets traded, which is expected at some point in 2026. The Dolphins need to find young, cheap, athletic options for the backend of the secondary.

Get bigger at receiver

Sullivan flat-out took a shot at the Dolphins’ former decision-makers for how they built virtually an entire room of 5-foot-8 receivers. That’s an exaggeration, but it’s a direct hit at former coach Mike McDaniel, who prioritized speed over size. With Jaylen Waddle and Malik Washington as the only established receivers returning, don’t be surprised if Miami added a couple of split ends who are over 6-feet via free agency and the draft. While Theo Wise Jr. showed flashes late last season, it’s hard to bank on an undrafted rookie’s development.

Restock the tight end room

The only tight end presently on Miami’s roster is Jalin Conyers, an undrafted player who missed all of his rookie season because of a foot injury, and two NFL journeymen. Darren Waller plans to continue playing, but likely won’t return to Miami. Julian Hill is a restricted free agent the Dolphins can’t afford to tender for $3.5 million, and Greg Dulcich, who shined in his limited action last season, is a free agent seeking job and financial security.

Address the kicker situation

Riley Patterson shined last season, replacing Jason Sanders, who was sidelined all season with a hip injury. Patterson, who made 27 of 29 field goals, is an unrestricted free agent. Sanders is under contract for $3.75 million, and is owed a $500,000 roster bonus on March 13. If Sanders is released he will create $3.9 million in cap space, which the Dolphins need. But there’s no guarantee Miami will be the highest bidder for Patterson. Realistically, the Dolphins will likely try to shake down Sanders and take whoever is cheaper. After all, it is a kicker.

____