Dolphins carry 182.8 million in dead cap for the 2026 season

The Miami Dolphins entered the 2026 season with 182.8 million in dead cap space following an offseason roster overhaul. General manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley directed the release of several veteran players, including Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle, to reset the team's financial outlook. Tua Tagovailoa carries the largest individual dead cap hit at 55.4 million, followed by Tyreek Hill at 28.25 million. This decision marks a significant departure from previous roster construction strategies and positions the team for a projected 104 million in available cap space next year. The current front office aims to accelerate the team's rebuild by absorbing these costs now to secure future financial flexibility and potential top selections in the 2027 NFL Draft.

• 2:34 PMYahoo Sports — Dolphins have a historic amount of dead cap heading into 2026