The Miami Dolphins are not expected to be major players in NFL free agency, which opens on Monday, March 9 at Noon. Contracts can be negotiated but can’t be made official until Wednesday, March 11 at 4 p.m.
But the free agency period opened with a bang as the Dolphins officially announced they’ll be releasing quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
Dolphins re-signing TE Greg Dulcich
The Miami Dolphins are re-signing Greg Dulcich on a 1-year, $3.25 million, a league source said.
Dulcich will be Miami’s top tight end target for new quarterback Malik Willis.
Falcons signing QB Tua Tagovailoa
The Atlanta Falcons are adding Tua Tagovailoa on a 1-year contract. Obviously almost all of Tua’s salary this year will be coming from the Miami Dolphins.
Tua will add insurance for Michael Penix, another rare left-handed quarterback in the NFL.
Tua will have the benefit of playing in a domed stadium, where he has historically played well.
Dolphins add no compensatory picks
The Miami Dolphins were awarded no compensatory picks from the NFL for the upcoming draft.
This is disappointing at the team did lose top-flight free agent Jevon Holland to the Giants last offseason.
But it’s a complicated formula and Miami had too many lower-tier free agents play a lot of snaps.
Falcons add P Jake Bailey
Former Dolphins punter Jake Bailey is signing a 3-year, $9 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons, according to ESPN. It includes $5 million fully guaranteed.
Bailey was one of the best punters in the NFL last season. He is a former All Pro.
Panthers add edge Jaelan Phillips
The Carolina Panthers signed former Dolphins edge Jaelan Phillips to a four-year, $120 million deal, according to NFL Network.
Phillips will join former Miami teammate Robert Hunt in Charlotte. There were reports that the Eagles felt good about their chances to re-sign Phillips, whom they acquired via trade from the Dolphins at the deadline last season.
Dolphins add QB Malik Willis
The Miami Dolphins are poised to sign free agent quarterback Malik Willis according to NFL insider Ian Rapaport on Monday, March 9. The signing is reportedly a 3-year, $67.5 million-dollar deal.
The news comes just hours after the Dolphins formally announced their intention to release franchise quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who signed a 4-year, $212 million contract extension in July 2024. Tagovailoa, 28, has three years left on that contract and will give the Dolphins an NFL record dead cap hit of $99.2 million.
— Eric Wallace, deputy sports editor
RT Larry Borom heading to Detroit
The Dolphins are losing offensive tackle Larry Borom to the Detroit Lions, NFL Network reported.
Borom started 11 games at right tackle in place of Austin Jackson last season.
Dolphins to cut quarterback Tua Tagovailoa
The Dolphins officially announced on the morning of Monday, March 9, that they will be cutting Tua Tagovailoa at the start of the new year.
General manager Jon-Eric Sullivan thanked Tua in a statement released by the team.
Miami will take on a record $99.2 million cap hit. The Dolphins could roll with second-year quarterback Quinn Ewers, or add competition.
Tua made a Pro Bowl and led the NFL in passer rating, passing yards and passing touchdowns.
But his Dolphins career was cut short by a compilation of injuries and a regression in 2025.
Dolphins trade Minkah Fitzpatrick to Jets
Though it’s not a direct player acquisition, the Dolphins are trading away Minkah Fitzpatrick again. The New York Jets are getting the two-time Dolphin for a seventh-round draft pick.
Fitzpatrick was scheduled to make $18.8 million from the Dolphins this season.
NFL free agency window opens
Among the key Dolphins who will are scheduled to become free agents are: CB Rasul Douglas, TE Greg Dulcich, P Jake Bailey, K Riley Patterson, CB Kader Kohou.
Other Dolphins about to be free agents include: CB Jack Jones, LS Joe Cardona, KR/PR Dee Eskridge, S Elijah Campbell and G Cole Strange.
The Dolphins’ top needs include: cornerback, defensive end/edge rusher, quarterback, wide receiver/tight end and guard.
NFL Free Agency Tracker as negotiations start
New general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan has cautioned that due to salary cap restrictions, Miami may be looking at signing a few role players.
The Dolphins have been associated with free agent Packers quarterback Malik Willis. But it is quite possible he ends up out of Miami’s price range as the team is in a rebuilding state.
Who could the Miami Dolphins sign?
The Dolphins will be looking for players who can contribute but don’t cost a lot.
The Packers had a track record of signing free agents who cost $2 million or less per season.
The Dolphins have a track record of signing many expensive free agents. They have spent among the most in the NFL over the past 10 years and that’s about to change.
Examples of types of players the Dolphins could be interested in could include: QB Jimmy Garoppolo, QB Tyrod Taylor, TE Greg Dulcich, TE Harrison Bryant, TE Jack Stoll, G Dillon Radunz, G Teven Jenkins, Edge Kingsley Enagbare, Edge Joe Tryon, Edge osh Uche, Edge Azeez Ojulari, Edge David Ojabu, CB Jason Pinnock, CB Jayln Armour-Davis, CB Kaiir Elam, S Andre Cisco, S Darnell Savage and S Ronnie Harrison.
Think role players.
Note: This tracker will be continuously updated so bookmark it and check back regularly.
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe’s free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins news, NFL free agency 2026, live updates
Reporting by Joe Schad and Hal Habib, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
