Dolphins set to release Ingold, Sanders in moves that create more cap space
The Dolphins are releasing fullback Alec Ingold and kicker Jason Sanders — two of their longest tenured veterans — after attempts to renegotiate their contracts were rejected by both players, multiple sources said.
The two moves will create $6.9 million in cap space, leaving Miami with about $5 million under the cap. Teams must be cap compliant by the start of the new league year on Wednesday.
Sanders, who spent last season on injured reserve with a hip ailment, finishes his seven-year Dolphins career with 187 field goals in 221 attempts (84.6%) and 259 of 268 on extra points.
He made his final 27 field-goal attempts as a Dolphin, including nine in a row on kicks of 50 or more yards.
His 826 career points rank third in Dolphins history, behind fellow kickers Olindo Mare (1048) and Garo Yepremian (830).
Sanders, a former seventh-round pick, was under contract next season at $3.7 million; none of that money is guaranteed. The Dolphins asked him to take less money, but he declined.
He would have had a $4.6 million cap hit if he remained on the team on that contract. His release will reduce his 2026 Dolphins cap hit to $663,000.
The Dolphins could try to re-sign impending free agent Riley Patterson, who went 27 for 29 on field goals last season while filling in for Sanders.
Per a source, there have been no ongoing negotiations with Patterson as of midday Friday. Miami’s focus was to first see if Sanders would restructure at a lower number; Miami was not pitting one against other in negotiations. They could now turn to Patterson.
As for Ingold, he declined a pay cut from the $3.6 million salary he was set to earn next season. None of that money is guaranteed, and his 2026 Dolphins cap hit now drops from $5.1 million to $1.9 million.
Ingold joined the Dolphins as a free agent on a two-year, $6.5 million in March 2022, then signed a three-year, $12.2 million extension the following year.
A skilled blocker, Ingold ran 20 times for 34 yards and two touchdowns in four years with the Dolphins, while catching 47 passes for 372 yards and a touchdown.
This story was originally published March 6, 2026 at 1:07 PM.
