The Miami Dolphins have some important decisions to make in the offseason. After going 8-9, and securing their first losing seasons since 2019 — the team is heading into 2025 with a worse outlook.
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The Dolphins are currently in the bottom five of NFL teams with available cap space. They currently sit at around $12 million over the cap for 2025.
With an upcoming cap situation, the Dolphins might have trouble keeping star safety Jevon Holland. Holland is due for a large contract extension and could fetch a price similar to Xavier McKinney and Antoine Winfield Jr, both of whom are now paid in the top 10 at the position.
McKinney signed a four-year contract extension of $84.1 million, which comes in at $21.5 million per season. Winfield also signed a four-year, $68 million extension, which pays him $16.75 million per season.
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It would be believed that Holland would fetch a price similar to these deals, and would be paid anywhere in the top five at that position. With a potential $68 to $84 million deal incoming, the Dolphins may want to find a cheaper option.
That cheaper option can come in the form of 49ers All-Pro Talanoa Hufanga. Hufanga currently making $930,000 per season, and is also in the running for an extension.
Based on Hufanga's performance and injury history, Newsweek Sports predicts the Dolphins could sign him to a projected three-year, $45 million deal. This would pay Hufanga $15 million per season, placing him in the top 10 at the position, but not in the top five.
Hufanga earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in 2022 after securing 97 total tackles, two sacks, four interceptions, a pick-six, nine passes defended, and two forced fumbles.
Hufanga's production slipped in 2023, leading to only 52 total tackles, three passes defended, and three interceptions.
The 2024 season was also disappointing for Hufanga, who only appeared in seven games due to multiple injuries.
Despite the struggles in the last two seasons, Hufanga remains one of the best options for safety heading into 2025. He is also set to become an unrestricted free agent, which could lead to the Dolphins pouncing at signing him.
The biggest hurdle for the Dolphins is their current cap space. However, the team has 32 players on the team that could hit free agency.
There are also several contracts they could alter to make some cap space for singing like Hufanga.
Linebacker Bradley Chubb is due $28 million per season, and the Dolphins could choose to release Chubb with a post-June 1 designation, saving $19.55 million next year.
Miami could also trade wide receiver Tyreek Hill, which would save $14.97 million on the cap if he is traded past June. There are multiple moves to make here for the Dolphins, which could lead to landing Hufanga.
The other wrinkle in this prediction is the 49ers do have a projected $41 million over the cap currently and could sign Hufanga to a new deal. However, if he is seeking more money and the Dolphins can oblige, he could be playing in South Beach for 2025 and beyond.
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For more on the Dolphins, head to Newsweek Sports.
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