Kelly: Miami Dolphins’ top 10 earners of 2026 season
Imagine a roster where a journeyman the team had on its practice squad last season, a player who had a smidgen of success as a backup in 2025, signs a one-year deal for $3.25 million and instantly becomes one of the team’s top 10 earners of 2026.
That’s what the Miami Dolphins are working with this season in the first year of what appears to be a massive rebuild, which includes a financial resetting of the franchise’s books, and subsequently the roster.
The Dolphins spent most of the team’s available cap space on quarterback Malik Willis. But tight end Greg Dulcich, whom Miami re-signed to a one-year deal worth $3.25 million, was the only other player added this offseason who will make more than $2 million.
Miami’s roster features six players slated to earn more than $10 million in 2026, 30 veterans who signed for the NFL minimum (or close to it), and youngsters from the 2024, 2025 and 2026 draft/rookie classes who are still on their rookie deals.
The bottom line is that this year’s Dolphins will be young, and subsequently cheap.
Here’s a look at the top 10 earners on the roster, factoring in base salaries, signing bonuses, roster and workout bonuses.
QB Malik Willis — $23.5 million
Willis’ netted nearly $22.3 million of his 2026 salary from the signing bonus the Dolphins provided as part of his three-year, $67.5 million contract he signed this spring. Because only the first two years are guaranteed at $45 million, the Dolphins could potentially walk away from the deal after the 2027 season if Willis, who is guaranteed $21.5 million next season, doesn’t establish himself an upper-echelon starter. But if he does play well expect him and his camp to seek a drastic pay raise.
C Aaron Brewer — $20.05 million
Brewer received an $18.84 million signing bonus as part of the four-year deal he signed this summer, which is potentially worth $67.1 million. His 2026 salary is made up of that bonus and his $1,215,000 base salary. He’s only guaranteed another $14.1 million on the current extension, but there are triggers he will likely achieve in 2027 that will make it difficult for the Dolphins to move on from Brewer until after 2028, a season where he’s slated to earn $15.6 million if he plays in every game.
OG Kayden Proctor — $16.34 million
As the draft’s 12th pick Proctor received a fully guaranteed four-year deal that was worth $26.1 million (Dolphins will have a fifth-year option that is triggered after the 2028 season), and he got $15.45 million of that in signing bonus. That signing bonus and his $885,000 base salary makes up the rookie’s 2026 salary structure.
DT Zach Sieler — $16.2 million
Sieler is beginning the second season of a three-year extension Miami gave him last season, which brings his total deal to five years, $89.6 million. His 2026 salary is made up of a $14.9 million roster bonus, and his $1.3 million base salary. This is the final season of the guaranteed option of his deal, which means Sieler must perform like a player slotted to be paid $13.2 million in 2027 or the Dolphins will likely move on and create $16.1 million in cap savings.
CB Chris Johnson — $11.77 million
All but $7.27 million of his four-year, $19.04 million contract Johnson received as the draft’s 27th pick will be paid this year. Johnson received a $10.3 million signing bonus and will earn $885,000 in base salary this season. His rookie contract is fully guaranteed, possesses a fifth-year option and will pay him an average of $4.76 million a season.
RB De’Von Achane — $10.24 million
The five-year deal Achane signed this offseason that’s worth a max value of $70 million features a $9.1 million signing bonus and a $1.14 million base salary. Achane is guaranteed $12 million in base salary and bonuses in 2027, and that concludes the guaranteed portion of his contract, which means he will need to be one of the league’s top backs to receive the $15.7 million in base salary and bonuses he’s slated to make in 2028. However, if Miami restructures his contract next season to create cap space Achane will gain more leverage.
ILB Jordyn Brooks — $8.37 million
Finalizing a contract extension for Brooks remains the last unsettled business the Dolphins have, and it’s unclear whether a deal will get done before camp, or before the regular season starts. Brooks will make $7,815,000 in base salary, and $560,000 in bonuses in the final year of the three-year, $26.25 million contract he signed with the Dolphins as a free agent in 2024. He’s likely looking for a new deal that guarantees him $30-plus million during the first two seasons. If a long-term deal doesn’t get done the Dolphins can retain him with the franchise tag next season.
OT Austin Jackson — $7 million
Jackson, who was plagued by a foot injury that limited him last season, had his salary drastically reduced and is basically playing on an expiring contract. To restructure his deal, creating cap space for Miami’s offseason moves, the Dolphins gave Jackson a $4.26 million signing bonus and lowered his base salary to $1.21 million. He also has $1.52 million in bonuses tied to his offseason workouts, and the amount of games he plays in 2026.
TE Greg Dulcich — $3.25 million
Dulcich came on strong late last season, contributing 335 yards and one receiving touchdown in the 10 games he played in the second half of the season. His production motivated Miami to sign him to a one-year deal that paid him a $1.7 million signing bonus and a $1.14 base salary, which is fully guaranteed. He also has $340,000 in per-game roster bonuses.
ILB Tyrel Dodson — $3 million
Dodson is closing out the final year of the two-year, $6.25 million contract he signed with Miami in 2025. His contract has a $2.35 million base salary and $645,000 in per-game roster bonuses and workout bonuses. None of his salary for this season is guaranteed, so the Dolphins can move on from this team captain at any time without paying a financial penalty. But there would be minimal financial benefit to releasing Dodson, who is being paid like a special teams standout.
