Live updates: Dolphins sign three, pursue Bosa. Jones leaves. Armstead on his status, more
Welcome to Day 1 of the Miami Herald’s Dolphins-flavored free agency blog.
NFL teams can agree to contract terms with players from other teams beginning at noon Monday, but players cannot sign until 4 p.m. Wednesday.
The Dolphins entered Monday with $28 million in cap space.
Miami has 25 unrestricted free agents: offensive linemen Kendall Lamm, Isaiah Wynn, Robert Jones, Liam Eichenberg and Jackson Carman; outside linebackers Emmanuel Ogbah and Tyus Bowser; defensive tackles Da’Shawn Hand and Benito Jones; linebackers Tyrel Dodson, Duke Riley, Anthony Walker Jr. and Cam Brown; safeties Elijah Campbell, Jordan Poyer and Siran Neal; receivers River Cracraft, Braxton Berrios and Dee Eskridge; running back Jeff Wilson Jr.; quarterback Tyler Huntley, tight end Jack Stoll and long snapper Jake McQuaide.
Among restricted free agents, Miami tendered cornerback Kader Kohou but not linebacker Quinton Bell or receiver Anthony Schwartz.
Among exclusive rights free agents, the Dolphins tendered outside linebacker Cameron Goode and offensive tackle Kion Smith, but not receiver Grant DuBose, though his return hasn’t been ruled out.
Check here all day for updates, with newer ones added at the top.
10:45 p.m. update: The Dolphins are serious about trying to sign former Chargers Pro Bowl edge rusher Joey Bosa. Per The Athletic’s Mike Silver, the Dolphins and 49ers have made offers in the same price range, at under $10 million.
So Bosa - who attended Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas - can either return to play for his hometown team or join his brother, Nick, with the 49ers.
Bosa, 29, has 70 career sacks but has missed 22 games over the past three seasons. Last year, he appeared in 14 games and started nine and had five sacks and two forced fumbles. Bosa is a five time Pro Bowler and was the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2016.
He was released by the Chargers on March 5.
10:30 p.m. update: Guard Rob Jones agreed to a one-year deal with Dallas that could be worth up to $4.5 million. He was the Dolphins starting left guard last season and appeared in 49 games with 30 starts over four seasons.
9:30 p.m.: The Dolphins addressed one of their biggest shortcomings on Monday evening, when they agreed to terms veteran Steelers free agent guard James Daniels.
Miami also added Bears free agent Larry Borom, who has been primarily a tackle but can also play guard.
Daniels, considered one of the top guards in this free agent class, received a three-year, $24 million deal from Miami, according to a source.
He sustained a torn Achilles in week 4 of last season but the Dolphins were satisfied after examining his medical tests on Monday afternoon. He’s expected to be able to resume football activities by May or June, according to a source.
Daniels, 27, was drafted by the Bears in the second round out of Iowa in 2018.
He started 48 games in four years with Chicago and then signed a three-year, $26.5 million deal with Pittsburgh before the 2022 season. He started 17 games for the Steelers in 2022 and all 15 of his appearances in 2023 and four games last season before the injury.
Daniels, who was a right guard for Pittsburgh, is considered a good scheme fit for Miami. At 6-4 and 327 pounds, he’s considered a strong run blocker and generally reliable in pass protection. He allowed one sack in 105 pass blocking snaps last season before his injury.
Borom, meanwhile, started 8, 9, 6 and 4 games for Chicago over the past four seasons. At 6-5 and 333 pounds, Borom has primarily played tackle but also can play guard.
He was a fifth round pick out of Missouri in 2021.
He began last season on injured reserve and was activated Nov. 5, starting four of his eight appearances. He played 295 snaps at left tackle and 33 at right tackle last season.
But he allowed seven sacks in 237 pass blocking snaps last season.
The Dolphins’ three veteran guards from last year’s team -- Liam Eichenberg, Rob Jones and Isaiah Wynn -- are all free agents.
Veteran tackle Terron Armstead hasn’t decided if he’s playing in 2025, though he remains under contract. Veteran tackle Kendall Lamm is a free agent.
6:05 p.m.: Quarterback Zach Wilson, a talented but inconsistent former high first-round pick, is joining the Dolphins, a league source confirmed.
Wilson was a bust for the Jets, throwing 23 touchdowns and 25 interceptions -- with a 73.2 passer rating -- in three seasons with the Jets.
He was New York’s starter for much of 2021 and 2022 and took over for Aaron Rogers in 2023 after Rodgers sustained a season-ending injury in his first game as a Jet.
But Wilson was benched later that season, replaced by Tim Boyle.
Wilson completed just 57 percent of 993 passing attempts as a Jet.
The Dolphins will pay Wilson $6 million guaranteed, and he can make another $4 million in incentives, per ESPN.
After three disappointing years in New York, Wilson, 25, was the No. 3 QB in Denver last season -- behind Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham -- and did not play a snap.
General manager Chris Grier vowed to address backup quarterback in free agency after Tua Tagovailoa missed six games last season, four due to a concussion and two because of a hip injury at the end of the season.
Wilson went 12-21 as a starter, flashing a strong arm and mobility. But he was plagued by poor decision making and inaccuracy.
The Dolphins believe they can salvage him.
Miami opted for Wilson over free agents Marcus Mariota, Jameis Winston, Joe Flacco, Cooper Rush and Carson Wentz, among others.
It’s unclear if the Dolphins will re-sign Tyler Huntley, who finished last season as Miami’s No. 2 quarterback. Huntley said in December that the Dolphins told his agent that they wanted to re-sign him.
6 p.m. update: While the Dolphins avoided the high end of free agency on Monday afternoon, they made calls on a bunch of players on Monday, some of them modestly priced.
Among those potentially ‘modestly priced’ players that the Dolphins inquired about: Washington free agent safey Darrick Forrest, who started 11 games as a rookie in 2022, five in 2023 and one last season. He played in10 games last season and was heavily used on special teams. Forrest, a former fifth round pick out of Cincinnati, has a career 92.8 passer rating in his coverage area.
His defensive snaps were 850 in 2022, 328 in 2023 and 74 last season.
5:45 p.m. update: For the first time, Dolphins left tackle Terron Armstead publicly discussed his decision to reduce his base salary from $13.3 million to $1.2 million, while indicating that he hasn’t made a decision on his future.
Appearing on the Ross Tucker show, Armstead said: “It was actually a great mutual situation for me and the Dolphins. I can’t say enough about how I feel about the organization and the front office and how they have taken care of me and helped me through these past three years, for sure. This situation where I was able to take my projected salary down to minimum, it allows the Dolphins, right now, to use the cap space and get active and improve the team, honestly, which I’m all for. And it gives myself more time to make a decision on what I need to do or what I want to do.”
That moved saved Miami $13 million in cap space.
Armstead indicated there’s no decision on whether he’s playing in 2025.
“Ultimately, if I decide ‘hey, I’m coming back, let’s do this thing again in Miami,’ we can have another conversation about the actual contract I will be playing on, but we’re not there yet,’” he said. “Actually, Jason Kelce – this might go down as the Jason Kelce deal. He did a similar situation for Philly I think two years in a row. So, he may be the inventor of this situation.”
Asked by Tucker why he would want to play in 2025, Armstead said: “I’m 33. Twenty-eight years straight. Never missed a year playing this game. It’s a game I know inside and out. I know it, I love it, I respect the game. It’s that man – that desire to compete. For me to play in year 12, the way I play, especially when I felt good – I love it. I love the opportunity to compete. Some games I felt really good. I’m nice. I’m game. I’m nice.
“You know what I’m saying. That part man, it’s fun to find ways to win when things aren’t what they used to be … it’s fun to me. I get excited about it … And then that pursuit for a ring, man. I got really close in New Orleans and we feel like it was taken away from us in 2018. That piece of void right there will forever exist. So just that pursuit of a championship, that would snap everything for me. Those are my reasons.”
5:40 p.m.: With Joshua Dobbs joining New England and Jimmy Garoppolo staying with the Rams, the top Dolphins backup QB options are Marcus Mariota, Mac Jones, Jameis Winston, Cooper Rush, Minshew, Carson Wentz, Joe Flacco, Mason Rudolph, Drew Lock, Zach Wilson, Tyler Huntley... That’s presuming Daniel Jones, Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson hold out for starting jobs.
5 p.m.: Another top cornerback came off the board just now, with the 49ers’ Charvarius Ward agreeing to a three year deal with the Colts, a contract that could be worth up to $60 million. That leaves Minnesota’s Byron Murphy and the Chargers’ Asante Samuel as the top remaining cornerbacks, a need position for Miami.
4 p.m.: Four of the top 10 free agent safeties are now off the board.: Jeremy Chinn, Tre’von Moehrig, Cam Bynum and Talanoa Hufanga. All would have been good starters for Miami, which needs two starters.
Among top safeties who remained available as of 4 p.m.: the Dolphins Jevon Holland (Miami has expressed interest), the Chiefs’ Justin Reid, Atlanta’s Justin Simmons and the Colts’ Julian Blackmon.
3:30 p.m.: Miami’s chances of landing impact, highly-paid players at guard or defensive tackle continue to diminish.
After being released from the Falcons, Grady Jarrett is joining the Bears, per ESPN. With Jonathan Allen visiting Minnesota, Milton Williams joining New England and several others (including BJ Hill, TJ Slaton DJ Jones and Sebastian Joseph-Day) coming off the board, the Dolphins must hope that Calais Campbell returns. There are some decent tackles remaining but no great ones.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins need two starting guards, and two appealing options are off the board. San Francisco’s Aaron Banks is joining Green Bay and ex-Ravens starter Patrick Mekhari agreed to terms with Jacksonville on Monday.
The top free agent guards remained uncommitted as of 3 p.m.: James Daniels, Kevin Zietler, Teven Jenkins, Will Fries. It’s pricey market for top guys, and the Dolphins haven’t thrown big money at anyone early in free agency. At least a couple of those aforementioned players were not being pursued by Miami as of midday.
2:50 p.m.: The quarterback forecast for the AFC East crystallized just now when Justin Fields committed to the Jets for two years and $40 million. That means Tua Tagovailoa (Dolphins), Fields and Drake Maye (Patriots) will try to overtake Josh Allen’s Buffalo Bills.
The Patriots have had a strong start to free agency at multiple positions, including adding Philadelphia’s Milton Williams, the top defensive tackle available, plus pass rusher Harold Landry, Lions standout cornerback Carlton Davis, linebacker Robert Spillane and offensive tackle Morgan Moses.
2:30 p.m. update: Last season, seven starting cornerbacks had a better passer rating against than Kendall Fuller, who was released by the Dolphins. Five are now off the board: DJ Reed, Paulson Adebo, Carlton Davis, Donte Jacksonand Pittsburgh-bound Darius Slay). That leaves Byron Murphy and Asante Samuel Jr as the other two.
There are a couple of dozen free agent cornerbacks remaining.
1:30 p.m. update: The Dolphins need two safeties, and Tre’von Moehrig, one of the best available, is now off the board. He’s signing with Carolina. Another top option, Cam Bynum, is joining the Colts. And a third, the 49ers’ Talanoa Hufanga, is closing in on a deal with Denver, per ESPN.
Other top safeties who remain available: the Dolphins Jevon Holland (Miami has expressed interest), Jeremy Chinn, Justin Reid and Julian Blackmon.
1:45 p.m. update: The Dolphins made their first deal in free agent by re-signing defensive lineman Matt Dickerson, who had 15 defensive snaps in four games for Miami. He has 42 tackles in 40 NFL games, all off the bench.
1:30 p.m.: The reps for three of the top UFAs at Dolphins need positions said Fins seem like they want to be restrained (as opposed to mega contracts) at least with their guys. They would need to clear out a lot more than their current $25 million space to add particularly pricey guys at their five to seven need areas.
12:45 p.m.: Four players who would have been big additions for Miami are coming off the board:
Paulson Adebayo (who had the best passer rating against of all starting cornerbacks last season) is joining the Giants and Detroit cornerback Carlton Davis (who also had some of the best metrics) is signing with New England and the Jets’ DJ Reed is joining the Lions.
And per ESPN, Philadelphia’s Milton Williams - the top defensive tackle available - is signing with New England, per NFL Network.
12:30 p.m.: One of the Dolphins’ backup quarterback options came off the board early Monday, when Jimmy Garoppolo decided to re-sign with the Rams.
That leaves Marcus Mariota, Mac Jones, Gardner Minshew, Joe Flacco and Jameis Winston among the best backup QB options for Miami among players who aren’t expecting to land starting jobs. The free agent QBs looking for starting jobs include Justin Fields, Sam Darnold, Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers and Daniel Jones.
Also available: Cooper Rush, Josh Dobbs, Mason Rudolph, Drew Lock, Zach Wilson, Trey Lance.
12:15 p.m.: The Dolphins are poking around on potential special teams upgrades. They’ve made contact with incumbent free agent cornerback Siran Neal, among the leaders of last year’s unit, and have showed some interest in him. (The new special teams coach reached out to him.) But they’ve put multiple of their free agents as hold.
12:10 p.m.: As expected, it looks like the Dolphins will move forward with Malik Washington as their primary returner. Braxton Berrios, who began last season as Miami’s returner before an injury, has received interest from multiple teams and is expected to sign elsewhere.He’s signing with Houston, per a source.
Washington was fifth in the league in kickoff return average at 30.7 (minimum 14 returns).
He was 18th in the NFL in punt return average at 7.4 (minimum 15 returns).
11:45 a.m.: The Dolphins need a high-impact defensive tackle to accompany Zach Sieler, even more so if Calais Campbell doesn’t return.
Former Commanders Pro Bowler Jonathan Allen is perhaps the most accomplished veteran available (aside from Campbell), but he has emerged as a top candidate for the Vikings; he’s visiting Minnesota on Monday and has a “good amount of interest,” per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Another one of the top defensive tackles available, B.J. Hill, is resigning with the Bengals, and a third, D.J. Jones, is staying with Denver.
10:50 a.m.: I’ve been poking around on free agent guards, and two of the top handful available aren’t expecting Miami to be in the mix for them.
It’s a pricey market for the high end guys; San Francisco’s Aaron Banks - a player linked to Miami because of his background with Mike McDaniel and his skills for Miami’s scheme - could command $18 million to $20 million a year, per Albert Breer, who mentions the Chiefs and Vikings as possibilities.
Meanwhile, Tampa Bay on Monday re-signed guard Ben Brendeson and Arizona re-signed Evan Brown, removing two of the top dozen free agent guards from the market.
10 am: Besides the obvious needs that will be addressed in the next couple of days (guard, defensive line, cornerback, safety, backup quarterback), Miami also has inside linebacker very much on its mind.
A source confirmed a Dolphins Talk report that San Francisco free agent Dre Greenlaw is someone of interest to Miami. But his market is expected to exceed what Miami is willing or able to pay.
The Dolphins also remain interested in re-signing Tyrel Dodson if the sides can agree to terms. But they’re exploring the market in case they don’t strike a deal.
Except for Jordyn Brooks and seldom-used Channing Tindall, all of Miami’s other inside linebackers are free agents (Dodson, Anthony Walker Jr., Duke Riley).
9:50 a.m.: The Dolphins know they must add an established defensive tackle, and two more quality veterans just became available, with Atlanta set to release Grady Jarrett and the 49ers cutting Maliek Collins.
Keep checking back all day for updates.
This story was originally published March 10, 2025 at 10:35 AM.
