Dolphins Release Lawrence Timmons

The Dolphins have released Lawrence Timmons, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). It was first reported back in February that Miami would be moving on from the veteran linebacker.

By cutting Timmons, the Dolphins will save $5.5MM against the cap. Thomas joined the team on a two-year, $12MM deal last offseason, but leaves after appearing in 14 games (13 starts) and recording 58 tackles. His 58 tackles were his lowest total in any season since 2009.

This move became much easier to make after the Dolphins suspended Timmons in September of last year. That voided some of the linebacker’s future guarantees. Had that not occurred, Timmons probably wouldn’t be an easy cap casualty.

The longtime Steelers starter defected to the Dolphins last March on a two-year, $12MM deal with $11MM guaranteed. He finished 2017 with a middling Pro Football Focus grade, mostly due to porous run defense, and will head back to the market.

The Steelers have announced Ryan Shazier will not play in 2018, so they now have a vacancy at inside linebacker and could possibly be amendable to a Timmons deal at a cheaper rate. But with Timmons going into his age-32 season, it’s also possible (if not likely) the AFC North champions go after a younger player to fill in for Shazier.

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