Change is going to come, and the Miami Dolphins are expecting to lose some key names during the off-season as they gear up for the upcoming season. The firing of defensive coordinator Josh Boyer and his defensive staff was just the first move in an off-season where some players won’t be back. The Dolphins made the playoffs in 2022, but change is inevitable as the team looks to build on its success and continue to improve.
The Dolphins sustained several season-ending injuries to key starters this season, including cornerbacks Byron Jones and Nik Needham, safety Brandon Jones, and defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah. To jump-start their depleted defense, they traded for Pro Bowl linebacker Bradley Chubb in November, signing him to a five-year, $110 million contract days after acquiring him.
Which Miami Dolphins players could be gone in 2023?
While Miami owned the league’s fourth-best run defense, it also ranked 21st in defensive expected points added, 22nd in sacks per pass attempt, and 24th in points allowed per game and third-down percentage. A defense that ranked in the top 10 in takeaways in each of the previous two seasons struggled to create turnovers in 2022, finishing with just 14 takeaways — tied for the second-fewest in the NFL.
The Dolphins will also have to make some tough decisions when it comes to their free agents. Running back Jeff Wilson Jr., tight end Mike Gesicki, and offensive tackle Brandon Shell are among the players who are set to hit the open market. The team will have to weigh the cost of re-signing these players against the need to improve other areas of the roster.
The team will also have to decide on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who had a solid season but struggled down the stretch. There’s also the concussion issue. Still, he played well enough to earn one more year. Eventually, the team will have to decide whether to extend him, pick up his fifth-year option, or look elsewhere for a more reliable quarterback.
The Dolphins have some work to do this off-season, but with a solid core of players in place, the team is well-positioned to continue to compete in the coming years. However, the team will have to make some tough decisions.