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Marcel Louis-Jacques
Multiple Authors
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins made a series of roster changes on Monday, including releasing Tyreek Hill, to create substantial salary cap space.
Former Pro Bowl linebacker Bradley Chubb was also notified about his impending release on Monday, according to several sources. but, it remains unclear if the release will happen immediately or after the league year begins on March 11, potentially classifying it as a post-June 1 transaction.
also, Miami let go of offensive lineman James Daniels and wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine on Monday.
Thank you for everything, @cheetah. 🐆 pic.twitter.com/XShCPaWeJr
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) February 16, 2026
These decisions mark a significant shift for the Dolphins under first-year general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, projected to save the team approximately $23 million in 2026. This amount could rise to $30 million with Chubb’s immediate release.
To acquire Hill, Miami traded away a first-round pick, a second-round pick, two fourth-round picks, and a sixth-round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022. They later signed him to a four-year, $120 million extension. Hill quickly established himself as one of the league’s top receivers, achieving consecutive 1,700-yard seasons in 2022 and 2023. but, his production decreased in 2024, tallying 81 receptions for 959 yards and six touchdowns.
Hill suffered a dislocated knee and tore his ACL in Week 4 of the 2025 season, causing him to miss the remainder of the year. He will turn 32 in March and has entered free agency for the first time in his decade-long career.
His four years in Miami were also plagued by off-field controversies, including several lawsuits and an incident in 2024 when he was forcibly removed from his vehicle by Miami-Dade police outside Hard Rock Stadium hours before the Dolphins’ regular-season opener.
Months after acquiring Hill, the Dolphins traded a first-round pick to the Denver Broncos for Chubb and signed him to a five-year, $110 million extension. Chubb recorded 11 sacks in 2023 but suffered a significant knee injury in Week 17, which involved a torn ACL, meniscus, and patellar tendon.
even if he missed all of the 2024 season, Chubb returned in 2025, leading the team with 8.5 sacks over 17 games. He was recognized as a team captain and received the local media’s “Good Guy” award for his professionalism and availability.
even with achieving a 10.5% pressure rate in 2025—his third highest ever—Chubb faced double-teams on a career-high 23.1% of his pass rushes, resulting in a career-low 7.8% pass rush win rate last season. He is also set to carry a $31 million cap hit in 2026 and will turn 30 this June, having endured torn ACLs in both knees throughout his eight years in the NFL.
Daniels was the Dolphins’ marquee signing during the 2025 offseason, inking a three-year, $24 million contract. Unfortunately, he suffered a pectoral injury just three plays into the season opener and was sidelined for the rest of the year.
Westbrook-Ikhine, who joined the Dolphins on a two-year, $5.99 million deal after scoring nine touchdowns with the Tennessee Titans in 2024, had a limited impact in Miami, registering only 11 catches for 89 yards.
As the Dolphins embark on their rebuilding journey, the future of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa remains uncertain, as he represents a $56 million cap hit for 2026, with $54 million guaranteed.
The 2020 first-round pick was benched at the end of the previous season after a league-high 15 interceptions in as many games. He signed a four-year, $212.1 million extension with Miami in 2024—making it the largest contract in franchise history. Sullivan has repeatedly indicated the Dolphins’ intention to add competition in their quarterback room while prioritizing team-building over securing their next franchise quarterback.
