MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — It was a busy Monday for the Miami Dolphins.
Hours after announcing the release of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and signing their new signal-caller, Malik Willis, the Dolphins watched several former players land with new teams as the official start of free agency nears.
Miami has also been working to clear salary cap space, a process that included the release of wide receiver Tyreek Hill, edge rusher Bradley Chubb, guard James Daniels and wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.
Here’s a look at several former Dolphins who will be on the move in 2026.
Tagovailoa is expected to sign a one-year, veteran-minimum deal with the Atlanta Falcons, according to multiple reports.
The deal cannot become official until Wednesday, when the Dolphins formally release him at the start of the new league year. Miami will absorb a record $99 million in dead money over two seasons.
Tagovailoa, 28, spent six seasons with the Dolphins but dealt with multiple injuries during his tenure.
Last season, he completed 260 passes for 2,660 yards and 20 touchdowns with 15 interceptions.
The Dolphins traded safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to the New York Jets in exchange for a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft that originally belonged to the Los Angeles Chargers, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Fitzpatrick, 29, is expected to sign a three-year, $40 million contract with the Jets, his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told ESPN.
The move came shortly after Miami announced Tagovailoa’s release at the start of the new league year.
Fitzpatrick had one year remaining on his $15.6 million non-guaranteed contract. The Dolphins opted to move the veteran defensive back, sending him to a division rival.
In 2025, Fitzpatrick recorded 82 tackles, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and an interception.
Larry Borom
Former Dolphins offensive tackle Larry Borom signed with the Detroit Lions, a move that could reshape the team’s offensive line, according to NFL insiders Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport.
After Detroit released veteran left tackle Taylor Decker, the expectation is that right tackle Penei Sewell will shift to the left side, potentially opening the door for Borom to take over at right tackle.
Borom, 26, started 11 games at right tackle for the Dolphins in 2025.
Originally selected by the Chicago Bears in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Borom spent four seasons in Chicago playing both tackle spots and briefly at guard.
Jake Bailey
Former Dolphins punter Jake Bailey has agreed to a three-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons, according to Schefter.
Bailey, 28, joined Miami in 2023 after earning first-team All-Pro honors with the New England Patriots in 2020, when he averaged 48.7 yards per punt.
After a dip in production during his final seasons in New England, Bailey rebounded in Miami. He averaged 45.7 yards per punt in 2023 and continued to improve.
In his final season with Miami, Bailey averaged 47.7 yards per punt with a 42.6 net average — both among the best marks of his career outside of his 2020 All-Pro season.
Jaelan Phillips
Linebacker Jaelan Phillips has agreed to a four-year, $120 million deal with the Carolina Panthers that includes $80 million in guaranteed money, according to ESPN.
The Philadelphia Eagles acquired Phillips from Miami at the November trade deadline in exchange for a 2026 third-round draft pick.
Phillips, 26, appeared in eight regular-season games for Philadelphia, recording two sacks, seven quarterback hits, a forced fumble and four passes defended.
A first-round pick out of the University of Miami in 2021, Phillips has dealt with multiple injuries in recent years, including a torn Achilles in 2023 and a partially torn ACL in 2024.
He played in all 17 games during the 2025 season — the first time he had appeared in every game since 2022.
Alec Ingold and Jason Sanders
The Dolphins also parted ways with fullback Alec Ingold and kicker Jason Sanders.
The 29-year-old fullback spent the last four seasons in Miami and served as a team captain. He played in 66 career games for Miami and recorded 20 carries for 34 yards and three touchdowns.
According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Dolphins and Ingold were unable to agree on a new contract. He was set to make $3.55 million this season with a cap hit exceeding $5 million.
The Los Angeles Chargers and Ingold agreed to a two-year, $7.5 million deal that reunites him with former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, now the Chargers’ offensive coordinator, according to reports.
Sanders, 30, who leaves Miami with a streak of 27 consecutive made field goals and perfect accuracy on 50+-yard attempts in his last nine tries. He has not signed with a new team as of Tuesday afternoon.
Following the cuts, the trade of Minkah Fitzpatrick, the signing of Malik Willis and the re-signing of tight end Greg Dulcich, the Dolphins still stood $1.8 million over the $301.2 million salary cap as of Tuesday afternoon, according to Over The Cap.
Cuts or trades are expected to continue as Miami looks to create enough cap room to sign its draft picks.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the Dolphins have eight selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, including three third-round picks. The group is headlined by the No. 11 overall pick in the first round.
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