Current financial projections place Miami’s cap space in a delicate position, especially with high-profile decisions looming. Management is forced to evaluate which expiring NFL contracts are essential and which players have likely played their final snaps.

From defensive secondary anchors like Rasul Douglas and Kader Kohou to offensive depth pieces, the list of impending free agents is extensive. This cycle will define the team’s trajectory as they navigate a period of significant roster transformation.

Miami Dolphins free agents in 2026

The Dolphins’ front office is approaching a critical juncture where the “win-now” window meets a harsh financial reality. The 2026 free agent class in Miami isn’t just a list of names; it’s a cross-section of the team’s core identity that has been built over the last few years.

As contracts for established veterans and developing starters simultaneously expire, the organization must distinguish between players who are essential for the culture and those who have simply become too expensive to maintain under a tightening salary cap.

This looming exodus spans every unit on the field, creating potential voids in areas that were once considered strengths. For instance, the quarterback room faces a significant reset with Zach Wilson’s deal coming to an end, while the defensive secondary risks losing its gritty edge as players like Kader Kohou approach the open market.

Ultimately, the 2026 offseason will be defined by how Miami navigates this period of high-stakes transition. The sheer volume of expiring contracts means that the roster seen today will be unrecognizable in twelve months. Rather than a standard rebuilding phase, this is a calculated deconstruction.

“For now, until competition proves otherwise, the best thing for our football team, in relief duty for a game, or injury, is for Zach [Wilson] to come in and be No. 2,” McDaniel said, via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.

However, Ewers shouldn’t lose hope on potentially making his way back to the QB2 spot, as McDaniel said his decision is subject to change depending on performance: “That could change over time. I’m not looking to change that until they show me it needs to be changed.”

Selected in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of Texas, Ewers has worked behind Tagovailoa and Wilson since preseason, but a sudden change in Week 7 suggested he could be up for a bigger role after all.

Ewers’ backup role behind Tua was short-lived

McDaniel named Ewers backup for the Cleveland Browns game, demoting Wilson to the QB3 spot, and the rookie ended up finishing the game instead of Tagovailoa, who threw three interceptions in an embarrassing 31-6 loss.

Even though it was a small sample size, Ewers’ few snaps in Cleveland weren’t convincing either. He went 5 of 8 for 53 yards in a game that already was out of reach for Miami, and McDaniel clarified in his postgame press conference that naming Ewers backup was a decision made specifically for the Browns game.

Far from benching Tagovailoa, McDaniel decided not to remove his starting quarterback but did change the pecking order behind him again. Wilson returned to the backup QB role in Week 8, when Tua and the Dolphins showed their best version of the year for a blowout 34-10 win over the Atlanta Falcons.

With Tagovailoa completing 20 of 26 passes for 205 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions, McDaniel may have seen exactly what he needed from his starting QB. And it appears that Wilson has also made an impression in practice to be the next in line.

Wilson has Dolphins’ confidence despite past struggles

After a 2024 season where having Skylar Thompson (initially) as backup proved costly, Miami decided to try its luck with Wilson this offseason. Even if the BYU product has so far left a lot to be desired in the NFL, the Dolphins seemingly believe he can still be a dependable alternative to Tagovailoa.

Drafted second overall by the New York Jets in 2021, Wilson has yet to prove the Jets were right in making such a decision. New York gave up on him long ago, but McDaniel still sees potential in him. Not as a starter, but at least as the first option in case Tua has to sit out. Needless to say, that’s better than being the third-string QB or not even having an active roster spot at all.

McDaniel confirmed his decision during his Monday press conference, only a day after Tagovailoa threw three interceptions in the Dolphins’ embarrassing 31-6 loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 7.

Questions about Tagovailoa’s job security emerged throughout the season as the Dolphins got off to a terrible start, but his seat looked hotter than ever after the disappointing outing in Cleveland.

The fact that McDaniel named Ewers as the backup QB for the Browns game and ended up benching Tua to let the rookie play the final snaps fueled speculation about a potential QB change, but that’s not going to happen anytime soon.

McDaniel not benching Tagovailoa despite ugly situation

Tagovailoa will once again be under center when the Dolphins play the Atlanta Falcons at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 26, in Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season, hoping to get back to winning ways after three consecutive losses.

The Alabama Crimson Tide product, for whom the Dolphins used a fifth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, has thrown for 1,313 yards with 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this year, which gives him a 42.9 QBR according to ESPN.

The fact that McDaniels isn’t benching Tagovailoa may have to do with the financial commitment Miami made to the quarterback in 2024, when it handed the former first-rounder a lucrative, four-year contract worth $212.4 million to keep him in South Florida through 2028.

Where is the 2023 version of Tagovailoa?

Tagovailoa received that extension after a promising 2023 season, where had a passer rating of 101.1 after throwing for 4,624 yards with 29 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 17 regular season games. The Dolphins finished with an 11-6 record that year before losing to eventual Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs in the Wild Card.

However, that version of Tua disappeared after the deal. An early concussion forced him to miss time in 2024 before another injury prevented him from finishing the season, which saw the Dolphins miss the playoffs with an 8-9 record.

In 2025, the Dolphins brought in new backups for Tagovailoa, signing a former second-overall pick in Wilson before drafting Ewers out of Texas with a seventh-round selection.

Ewers, Wilson still competing for QB2 job

While Wilson has so far left a lot to be desired when given the chance to play in the NFL, Ewers is still making his first steps in the league but lacks significant action. Even though Ewers moved up one spot in the depth chart on Sunday, McDaniel said postgame that decision was specific for the Browns game.

On Monday, the Dolphins head coach left the battle for the QB2 spot wide open. However, he made it clear that he expects to make a final decision about that position soon, as he wants to avoid making it a “week to week thing.“

Nothing changes

In the meantime, Tagovailoa will continue to lead the struggling Dolphins’ offense. And with Dolphins owner Stephen Ross reportedly not planning to fire McDaniel anytime soon, things remain practically unchanged in Miami regardless of the team’s disastrous record. Stranger things have happened, but in the NFL, this is still surprising.

McDaniel didn’t suggest whether he’s considering such a drastic change for Week 8, but did let every Dolphins player know that no one’s job is safe: “You have to evaluate everything. If you are negatively impacting the team routinely, I have no choice but to assess a different player — and I have to coach a lot better, as well.”

Additionally, the Dolphins head coach made it clear that the offense could start running things differently after a dismal 1-6 start to the 2025 NFL season: “We’ll change our style of play if we have to.”

McDaniel hasn’t made a final decision on Dolphins’ QB depth chart

McDaniel’s decision to name Ewers as backup raised eyebrows on Sunday, but the Dolphins head coach clarified during his postgame press conference that this was a specific move for the Browns game.

“All variables combined, I thought he (Ewers) gave us the best chance to win. I didn’t make the move with that (moving forward) in mind, I talked to Zach and Quinn that it was specific for this week,” McDaniel said.

This leaves the Dolphins’ QB depth chart situation up in the air. Tagovailoa has played, to put it lightly, poorly in 2025 and the Browns game was probably his worst version in an already terrible year for the Alabama product.

In Week 7, Tagovailoa went 12 of 23 for 100 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions. With the Browns’ 31-6 win all but sealed, McDaniel benched Tua to give some playing time to Ewers, who completed five of eight passes for 53 yards but had a fumble in one of his first snaps.

Even though Ewers looked far from ready for NFL football and Wilson left a lot to be desired during his time in the league, Tagovailoa’s concerning struggles might force the Dolphins to consider a change.

McDaniel wants accountability and union from Dolphins

McDaniel said he wanted to watch the tape before jumping into any conclusions, and he’s been completely supportive of Tagovailoa even during the quarterback’s worst times. But desperate times call for desperate measures, and benching Tua doesn’t sound unreasonable given his disappointing campaign.

“Everything is on the table before a game. … Guys need to be professionals. Every person on our team. If you’re saying ‘it’s not me,’ then it’s you,” McDaniel said, as he insisted that the Dolphins need accountability during this rough situation.

The Dolphins will return to action on Sunday, October 26, when they pay a visit to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 8. We’ll have to wait and see whether Miami heads into that game unchanged. Not only at quarterback, but also in other areas of the team, as McDaniel’s job might also be at risk in the wake of such a poor start.

The Fins’ poor results put both the head coach and quarterback in the eye of the storm, with many questioning whether they’re really capable of bringing back glory days to South Florida.

With pressure mounting, McDaniel made an eyebrow-raising decision that may put Tagovailoa’s future as the Dolphins’ starting quarterback into question. The head coach took many by surprise with a depth chart change before the Week 7 game against the Cleveland Browns, naming Quinn Ewers as the backup QB over Zach Wilson.

While this doesn’t change Tagovailoa’s current status as QB1, it does create questions about his job security in the long term. Six years into the NFL, the Alabama product has yet to live up to the expectations that come with being a first-round draft pick who’s getting paid handsomely by the way.

Tua Tagovailoa has yet to prove his doubters wrong

In 2024, the Dolphins made a bold decision by handing Tua a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension to keep him in Miami through 2028. The front office made that commitment after a promising season which ended in a Wild Card loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

While the move was partially understandable since Tua delivered encouraging performances before entering the final year of his rookie deal, that extension hasn’t aged well. The concussions and injuries suffered in 2024 may have kept Tagovailoa off the hook, but there are no excuses for his underwhelming performance in 2025.

With the Dolphins failing to achieve any progress in the Tagovailoa era, it’s fair to start questioning his future as their starting quarterback. Moving Ewers up one spot in the depth chart may be just a sign that bigger changes could be on the horizon.

Dolphins reportedly feel Quinn Ewers is ready

Selected 231st overall in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Texas Longhorns product didn’t arrive in Miami with too much expectations around him. But like any rookie, we’re talking about a quarterback with upside.

He’s still new in the NFL and may not provide an immediate answer to the Dolphins’ offensive struggles, but when things aren’t going to plan, changes are needed. According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Dolphins believe in Ewers‘ potential.

“Got some feedback on Ewers being no. 2 decision… Has looked very good as scout team QB… Dolphins love his arm and how hard he’s worked. They feel he’s nowready to play in game if needed,” wrote Jackson on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Wilson, selected second overall by the New York Jets in 2021, has struggled to prove why he was such a high draft pick since entering the NFL. And the Dolphins’ recent decision to promote Ewers suggests they don’t see the former BYU QB as the best alternative to Tagovailoa either.

Only time will tell us whether Ewers’ promotion to QB2 actually leads to more changes in the Dolphins’ QB depth chart. But with Dolphins owner Stephen Ross reportedly backing McDaniel’s job, the head coach may have all the power he needs to make drastic decisions if needed.

And while the former New York Jets and Denver Broncos quarterback will initially back up Tagovailoa, his presence will inevitably force Tua to play at a high level. After all, many believe that Wilson still has untapped potential.

However, this wouldn’t be it. The 2025 NFL Draft could see McDaniel and the Dolphins put even more pressure on Tagovailoa, in the event Miami uses one of its picks to sign a rookie quarterback.

In a recent mock draft published on NFL.com, Chad Reuter predicted the Dolphins to select Oregon product Dillon Gabriel with the 135th pick in the fourth round. Needless to say, such a move would raise question marks around Tagovailoa’s long-term future in Miami.

Dolphins don’t rule out selecting a QB in 2025 NFL Draft

Gabriel is coming off a great season in college football, having completed 326 of 447 passes for 3,857 yards with 30 touchdowns and six interceptions in his lone season with the Ducks in 2024. Before transferring to Oregon, he played for UCF and Oklahoma.

While it’s uncertain whether the Dolphins intend to bring him in this year, general manager Chris Grier did warn Tagovailoa that Miami could end up drafting a quarterback in 2025, even if it’s not in the first round.

“I would say we have our starting quarterback. I wouldn’t rule anything out but we’re not looking to take a quarterback in the first round,” Grier said last week, via Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.

The Dolphins will have 10 picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. While chances are that they won’t use their first-round selection at No. 13 on a signal-caller, the team could take a quarterback later.

Tagovailoa got paid but Dolphins missed him in 2024

Miami made a big commitment to Tagovailoa in 2024 by handing Tua a four-year, $212.4 million deal with $167.1 million guaranteed. His first season after the contract extension didn’t go to plan though.

After missing four games due to another concussion in his career, a hip injury saw Tagovailoa watch the final two games of the regular season from the sidelines. Miami ended up missing the playoffs, as neither of the alternative QBs on the roster managed to right the ship in Tua’s absence.

McDaniel hopes Wilson will fix last year’s mistake with Skylar Thompson, who left a lot to be desired as Tagovailoa’s backup in 2024, forcing the team to sign free agent Tyler Huntley midway through the season.

Will Wilson threat Tagovailoa’s job?

Wilson doesn’t arrive in Miami with a great reputation, holding a 12-21 record as a starter in the NFL. But to be fair, it wasn’t like the New York Jets put him in a position to succeed.

At 25, and after spending last season behind Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham in Denver, this could be the opportunity Wilson needs to revitalize his career. Tua, therefore, has to make sure not to let his backups see the field. Otherwise, his job in Miami could be in jeopardy.

Although it’s known that Tua will undoubtedly be the starting QB throughout the season, the former Jets and Broncos player made it clear in a recent conversation with the media that he’s ready to step in whenever his coach calls on him.

“Obviously there’s nothing wrong with being a journeyman. But I still believe I can be a starter in this league whenever the opportunity comes. And so, just trying to put myself in the best situation with the best team and coaches and do the absolute best that I can and then you know hopefully at some point you can get that opportunity to show what you can do,” Wilson said via the Palm Beach Post.

The question regarding his situation within the roster came up due to the fact that, since his arrival in the NFL in 2021, Zach Wilson has been unable to establish himself as a starter with both the New York Jets and the Denver Broncos.

Wilson’s excitement about joining the Dolphins

In recent years, the Miami Dolphins have positioned themselves behind the Bills as the biggest contenders in the AFC East. With good reason, Wilson clarified the reasons why he chose to join Mike McDaniel’s team during this latest free agency.

“What’s not to like, right?” Wilson said. “Extremely explosive offense And I think they do a great job. And it starts from coach (Mike) McDaniel and goes all the way down. Just say the offensive staff as a whole has done a great job. And you know, you’ve seen how Tua’s development has gone too since he’s been there. And I think I’m just excited to be with those guys.”

Not only that, but the former BYU player also expressed his excitement about being coached by Mike McDaniel, in whom he trusts to further enhance his skills on the field.

“Just extremely raw,” the QB stated. “His ability to just be, you know, completely himself every single day is I think what you want in a coach. Somebody that you know is going to give you exactly the same guy every single day. Obviously he’s a phenomenal coach and shows how much he cares and invest in you and so those are some of the qualities I’m just the most excited for.”

Zach Wilson awaits for his moment to play

There are no certainties about whether Wilson will eventually play a game for the Dolphins, but the QB himself stated that he feels ready for the challenge if the head coach calls on him.

“Luckily I’ve played in a lot of games in the NFL so far,” Wilson said. “And so it’s just the ability to step in and make the offense feel like nothing’s changed. From a leadership standpoint, just command of the huddle, getting guys the information they need on each and every play.”

The 25-year-old, who joined the Dolphins in free agency after spending last year with the Denver Broncos, looks excited about playing in Miami, promising Tagovailoa and McDaniel that he’ll prove to be the perfect fit for the role.

“I think it’s going to be a great fit with what I’m looking for, the type of offense, the amount of information I’ll be able to learn from these guys,” Wilson said, via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. “I think it couldn’t have been a better match.”

Tagovailoa’s injury history makes Dolphins QB2 a job to watch

Wilson, who turns 26 in November, is an intriguing addition for the Dolphins, who could use a reliable backup in case something happens with Tagovailoa again. Given Tua’s injury history, QB2 is a very important position in South Florida.

The Alabama Crimson Tide product, who suffered a serious knee injury in college, has dealt with concussions throughout his NFL career. After a healthy 2023 season, the problems that haunted him in 2022 came back in 2024.

A scary head injury in a Week 2 loss to the Buffalo Bills forced Tagovailoa to miss four games early in the campaign. He managed to come back from injured reserve after clearing the concussion protocol, but a hip injury ended up ruling him out for two more games.

McDaniel, Dolphins want to avoid last year’s mistake

This situation exposed the Dolphins’ lack of insurance behind Tua in 2024, with neither Skylar Thompson, Tim Boyle, and Tyler Huntley proving to be reliable alternatives for McDaniel.

Miami doesn’t want to make the same mistake than last year, hoping that Wilson becomes a dependable option in the QB room. While landing a veteran player would’ve also made sense, the Fins get in Wilson a young signal-caller who still has room for development.

A great chance for Wilson

A second-round pick out of BYU in the 2021 NFL Draft, Wilson fell short of expectations during his three-year stint with the New York Jets, who went 12-21 with him under center. In 33 starts, Wilson completed 57% of his passes for 6,293 yards with 23 touchdowns and 25 interceptions.

Last season, he worked behind Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham in the Mile High City. Therefore, the opportunity to have only Tagovailoa above him on the Dolphins’ depth chart could be exactly what he needs to get his NFL career back on track. Wilson looks confident, but only time will tell us if he proves Miami right.

The Dolphins reportedly signed Wilson to a contract worth $6 million guaranteed, according to sources who spoke on condition of anonymity. Wilson carries a 12-21 record as a starter, having thrown for 6,293 yards, 498 rushing yards, and 23 touchdowns while completing 57% of his passes. However, turnovers have been a concern throughout his career, with Wilson recording 25 interceptions before losing his starting job in 2023.

Selected second overall by the New York Jets in the 2021 NFL Draft, Wilson spent last season as a backup in Denver and did not play a single snap. Despite showcasing a strong arm and notable mobility during his tenure with the Jets, Wilson struggled with decision-making and consistency, ultimately falling short of expectations as a franchise quarterback.

Dolphins’ search for QB depth

The Dolphins have been in need of a reliable backup for Tagovailoa, who missed a total of six games in 2024 due to injuries, including his third diagnosed concussion in two years.

Miami cycled through three backup quarterbacks last NFL season — Skylar Thompson, Tim Boyle, and Tyler Huntley — with limited success. Huntley started five games for the Dolphins, posting a 2-3 record. Wilson is expected to take on a similar backup role but with hopes of providing better stability than his predecessors.

Why didn’t Wilson see action in 2024?

Wilson’s lack of playing time last season was largely due to Denver’s competitive quarterback situation. The 25-year-old faced a three-way competition for the starting job with rookie Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham during the Broncos’ offseason program and early training camp. Denver head coach Sean Payton eventually narrowed the race to a two-man battle between Nix and Stidham, leaving Wilson without an opportunity to play.

The Dolphins are now betting that Wilson’s experience and skill set can provide insurance for Tagovailoa while giving the former No. 2 overall pick a fresh start in South Beach.

The quarterback position has been a significant challenge for the Broncos. Earlier this year, the AFC West club released Russell Wilson, prompting the front office to immediately begin searching for his replacement.

Before the 2024 NFL Draft, the Broncos traded with the Jets for Zach Wilson. Just two days later, the club selected Bo Nix in the draft, who ultimately won the starting quarterback role.

Sean Payton hints at the possibility of the Broncos releasing Zach Wilson

The Denver Broncos will have a new starting quarterback. Bo Nix won the competition for the job, beating out Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson in what Sean Payton described as a very tight race.

The rookie has had an outstanding offseason, earning Sean Payton’s trust to lead the offense. However, it remains uncertain who will serve as his backup between Stidham and Wilson.

According to reports, Jarrett Stidham is expected to back up Nix. However, it is still unclear what the Broncos will do with Zach Wilson if he isn’t selected as QB2 this year.

Sean Payton, the team’s head coach, has hinted at the possibility of the Broncos releasing Wilson. He mentioned that the former Jets player could be a starter elsewhere, leading fans to speculate that Wilson could be leaving Colorado soon.

“No doubt. He has starter tools all over,” Paton said, via the Denver Gazette. “It’s been pretty cool just watching him. Really, no expectations. He can just go out there and play football. He has all the starting traits in the world. He’s still working through some things. You could see the really good last week in the game. He can throw it as good as anyone in the league. … I do think he’ll be a starter in this league.”

Which teams could sign Zach Wilson?

As of today, there aren’t many teams likely to sign Zach Wilson as a starting quarterback. His best chance may come if another player suffers an injury, similar to what happened last year after Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles.

However, it seems Sean Payton is willing to give Wilson one more chance to prove himself in practice to see if he’s a better option than Stidham as Bo Nix’s backup.

For most Broncos fans, Peyton Manning was the last solid quarterback the club had. He led the team to victory in Super Bowl 50, but things have not been the same since then.

In 2022, the team acquired Russell Wilson, who was expected to be the answer to their problems. Unfortunately, he didn’t meet expectations and was released by the club earlier this year.

Report: Broncos make shocking decision regarding their starting QB for 2024

During this offseason, rumors about Russell Wilson’s potential exit from the Broncos were confirmed. The Super Bowl XLVIII champion had a challenging tenure in Denver, leading the team to part ways with him this year.

However, the Broncos had a plan for his departure. In April, Denver traded with the New York Jets for Zach Wilson, an experienced quarterback seeking a second chance in the NFL.

Shortly after, the Broncos made additional changes to their quarterback room. During the 2024 NFL Draft, the club selected Bo Nix in the first round, suggesting he might be the starting quarterback.

Surprisingly, neither has been chosen as the starting QB. Today, the Broncos released their first unofficial depth chart, listing Zach Wilson as QB2 and Bo Nix as the third option.

But who is the starting quarterback? Jarrett Stidham appears as the primary option. However, it’s not time to panic, Broncos fans, as this depth chart may not be final for the upcoming season.

This unofficial list may have been released by the media relations department rather than the executives, as is common practice before the preseason. Additionally, Sean Payton has hinted that the race for the starting job may be between Nix and Stidham, not Wilson.

Will the Broncos release Zach Wilson prior to the 2024 NFL season?

As mentioned earlier, Sean Payton has not shown much endorsement for Zach Wilson since his arrival. While the club needed depth at the position, it appears Jarrett Stidham will sit behind Bo Nix in the upcoming campaign.

This situation raises doubts about Zach Wilson’s future. If he’s relegated to QB3, there may be little reason to keep him on the roster. Consequently, rumors suggest the club may part ways with him in the near future.