The 2025 offseason in Miami wasn't just another cycle of moving money around. It was a massive collision between high-octane expectations and the cold, hard reality of the salary cap. Honestly, if you were looking for the Dolphins to back up the Brinks truck for every home-grown star, you probably walked away disappointed.
Chris Grier—before he was let go after that frustrating 7-10 finish—had to make some brutal calls. The biggest one? Deciding that miami dolphins free agents 2025 wouldn't include a massive homecoming for every fan favorite. Instead, we saw a team desperately trying to fix an offensive line that felt like it was held together by scotch tape and prayer, while also saying goodbye to cornerstones that basically defined the Mike McDaniel era.
The Jevon Holland Situation Nobody Saw Coming
Everyone assumed Jevon Holland was the "untouchable" one. He was the heart of that secondary, the "Snowman," the guy who could play single-high or creep into the box and wreck a game. But when the dust settled on the 2025 free agency period, Holland wasn't wearing Aqua and Orange anymore.
He ended up signing a massive three-year, $45.3 million deal with the New York Giants.
Miami fans were heated. How do you let a 25-year-old Pro Bowl-caliber safety walk? Basically, the price tag just got too high for a team that was already paying Jalen Ramsey a fortune and trying to figure out how to navigate the massive extensions given to Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill. The Dolphins offered an extension, but reports suggest the gap between what Holland wanted—top-of-market safety money—and what Miami could actually fit under the cap was a canyon.
To fill that crater in the secondary, Miami went the "volume" route. They brought in Ashtyn Davis from the Jets and Ifeatu Melifonwu from the Lions. It’s a classic low-risk move. Melifonwu, in particular, has that high-ceiling athleticism, but let's be real: neither of those guys is Jevon Holland.
The Offensive Line Overhaul (Finally)
If you've watched a single Dolphins game over the last three years, you've spent most of it screaming at your TV about the interior offensive line. Well, 2025 was the year they finally decided to treat it like a priority instead of an afterthought.
The headline move was signing James Daniels, the former Steelers guard, to a three-year deal. It was the biggest contract the Dolphins handed out in the 2025 cycle. Daniels is exactly what this scheme needs—a guy who can actually move in space but won't get bullied by the massive 3-techniques in the AFC East.
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Who stayed and who went up front?
- Liam Eichenberg: Love him or hate him, he’s back. He re-signed on a one-year deal to provide that "utility man" depth.
- Larry Borom: They picked him up from Chicago to compete for tackle depth.
- Terron Armstead: This was the big blow. Armstead officially retired in April 2025. He was arguably the best left tackle in the league when healthy, but the "when healthy" part was the kicker. His departure forced the Dolphins to hand the keys to Patrick Paul much sooner than maybe they wanted to.
The Defensive Identity Crisis
Losing Calais Campbell felt like losing the adult in the room. Even at 38, he was arguably their most consistent defensive lineman in 2024. But as 2025 rolled around, Campbell decided he had one more run in him—just not in Miami. He headed back to where it all started in Arizona.
The Dolphins' defensive front took another hit when they traded Jaelan Phillips to the Eagles at the 2025 deadline. It was a move that signaled the "reset" was officially on. Phillips was entering the final year of his deal and the team knew they weren't going to be able to pay him the $25M+ per year he was going to command. Instead, they took a third-round pick (87th overall) from Philly and moved on.
To patch things up, they brought back Emmanuel Ogbah on a cheap one-year deal and re-signed Benito Jones to keep some continuity on the interior. It’s a lot of "patchwork" for a defense that used to be the team's calling card.
Under the Radar Additions That Might Actually Matter
While everyone was busy mourning Holland, the Dolphins quietly made a few savvy moves that fit the "speed and versatility" mold Mike McDaniel loves.
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Nick Westbrook-Ikhine came over from Tennessee on a two-year deal. He’s not a burner like Tyreek, but he’s a massive body (6'2") who can actually block and catch a touchdown in the red zone. The Dolphins lacked that "big" receiver after they moved on from some of their older depth.
Then there’s Alexander Mattison. With Raheem Mostert getting up there in age—Mostert eventually re-signed for 2025 on a very team-friendly one-year deal—the Dolphins needed a banger. Mattison gives them that insurance policy behind De'Von Achane.
A Quick Look at the 2025 Signing Class:
- Zach Wilson (QB): Signed a one-year, $6M deal to be the backup. Honestly, a smart gamble given the injury history at the position.
- Willie Gay Jr. (LB): A high-energy addition to the middle of the defense.
- Pharaoh Brown (TE): Brought in specifically to be the blocking tight end this offense was missing.
- Ryan Stonehouse (P): They even swapped out the punter, bringing in the NFL record-holder for average yards per punt.
The Tua Shadow Over Everything
You can't talk about miami dolphins free agents 2025 without talking about the contract that is currently suffocating the team's flexibility. Tua Tagovailoa's extension, signed in 2024, started hitting the books hard in 2025.
Because his play took a step back—he was actually benched late in the 2025 season for a stretch—the Dolphins are now in a position where they might have to designate him as a post-June 1 cut in 2026. This uncertainty is why the team was so "cheap" with guys like Jevon Holland. They are terrified of being stuck with $54 million in guaranteed money for a quarterback they aren't sure about anymore.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Horizon
If you're looking at where this team goes next, the "youth movement" is the only path forward. The 2025 free agency period proved that the "win-now" window of 2022-2023 is officially closed.
What to watch for right now:
- The Patrick Paul Development: He is no longer the "heir apparent"; he is the guy. If he can't protect the blindside, the 2026 draft will almost certainly involve another top-15 pick on a tackle.
- The Safety Shuffle: Watch how Melifonwu and Davis perform. If they struggle, expect the Dolphins to be aggressive in the early rounds of the draft for a defensive playmaker.
- Salary Cap Cleaning: Expect more restructures. Guys like Aaron Brewer have already seen their deals tweaked to create space for the practice squad. This is a team operating on a razor-thin margin.
The 2025 offseason was a reality check. The Dolphins are no longer the team that buys every shiny toy on the market. They are a team trying to find their soul again while navigating one of the most complex cap situations in the NFL.