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3 Players that played their last game for the Miami Dolphins

By Michael Johnson

NFL Black Friday: Head coach Mike McDaniel of the Miami Dolphins looks on against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Soldier Field on November 06, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
NFL Black Friday: Head coach Mike McDaniel of the Miami Dolphins looks on against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Soldier Field on November 06, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /
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Miami Dolphins
Dec 5, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins cornerback Byron Jones (24) takes on the field prior the game against the New York Giants at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Byron Jones

One of the most pressing questions facing the team is what to do with veteran cornerback Byron Jones. Jones, who is 30 years old, is coming off of a season in which he missed the entire year due to Achilles surgery. He also carries a hefty $18.35 million cap hit in 2023, according to Over the Cap. With that in mind, it makes sense for the Dolphins to move on from Jones.

The Dolphins already have a lot committed to Xavien Howard who is coming off of a season he would probably like to forget, despite making the Pro Bowl again. The team’s defense struggled this past season, and the Dolphins cannot afford to have a significant portion of their salary cap tied up in two players, and one of them, Byron Jones isn’t living up to his contract.

With Jones’ health in question, it would be unwise for the team to continue to invest a large amount of money in a player who may not be able to perform at a high level.

The good news, Jones’ salary is entirely non-guaranteed in 2023, and the Dolphins assuredly won’t pay him that. June 1 would make the most sense for the Dolphins to release the former Cowboys corner. Jones has a big 2023 cap hit ($18.4 million), and that cap hit drops only to $14.8 million if he’s cut before June 1 but $4.8 million if he’s cut after June 1. This would give the team more flexibility in the short term to address other areas of need, like linebacker.

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