Dolphins Release WR Tyreek Hill
As expected, Tyreek Hill‘s tenure with the Dolphins is ending. The All-Pro wideout is among the veterans being let go on Monday. 
Hill is being released, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. This marks an end to his four-year run in Miami. As Hill continues to recover from the season-ending knee injury he suffered in Week 4, he will now become a free agent. The Dolphins have since confirmed the news.
[RELATED: Hill Plans To Play 11th NFL Season]
2026 was set to include $36MM in compensation in this case. Hill was due to collect a $5MM roster bonus as part of that figure in March, but many expected a release to take place well before that point. Miami has been busy on Monday, with the team’s list of veteran cuts including edge rusher Bradley Chubb and others. His release, along with that of Hill, will substantially alter the Dolphins’ cap situation.
Cutting Hill immediately would generate a slightly higher dead money charge ($28.25MM) than the cap savings it would create ($22.89MM). Like in Chubb’s case, a post-June 1 designation would be much more beneficial for the Dolphins. Taking that route would yield over $35MM in savings against while spreading out the dead cap charges across the next two years. In either case, Miami is well into cost-shedding season given the team’s actions today.
Hill is free to join another team, but since his injury there have been questions raised about his future. It will be interesting to see how much of a market forms in this case given the eight-time Pro Bowler’s health status. Hill is also the subject of an NFL investigation into domestic violence allegations. His history regarding other off-the-field issues represents another factor which could hinder Hill’s value.
The Dolphins received notable trade interest in Jaylen Waddle leading up to the 2025 deadline. To little surprise, Miami retained him. Waddle – who is under contract through the 2028 campaign – is now in line to handle WR1 duties moving forward. The rest of the team’s depth chart at the receiver position could see several changes this offseason.
Hill established himself as one of the league’s most productive players over the course of his Chiefs tenure. The former fifth-rounder was named a member of the 2010s All-Decade team based on his showings in Kansas City, and expectations were high upon arrival in Miami. The 2022 blockbuster deal which saw the Dolphins acquire Hill brought about five picks for the Chiefs and helped them reset their core. With the Dolphins, Hill proved to be a highly productive contributor.
In 2022, he broke the 1,700-yard threshold. Hill matched that feat the following season, leading the league in yards and touchdowns. A drop-off was suffered in 2024, a year in which the Dolphins dealt with quarterback injuries. Hill could be seen as a viable target in certain cases if suitors consider him a bounce-back candidate. Otherwise, his health status and intentions with respect to his future will be a major storyline.
The Dolphins are in position to usher in a new, young core during the opening year of the Jon-Eric Sullivan-Jeff Hafley era. Further changes can be expected, but several veteran contracts are already coming off the books in a sign of the wide berth granted by owner Stephen Ross. Inexpensive receivers will be targeted during the spring for Miami, while Hill will weigh his options.
Dolphins Release OLB Bradley Chubb
Bradley Chubb‘s time in Miami is coming to an end. The veteran edge rusher is being released by the Dolphins, as first reported by NFL insider Jordan Schultz. 
Chubb’s deal had one season remaining on it. However, none of his base pay for 2026 was guaranteed, leaving the door open to a release. It comes as little surprise Miami’s new regime is moving forward with this cut prior to March 12, when Chubb was due to collect a roster bonus. The Dolphins have since confirmed the move.
Roughly one year ago, Chubb agreed to a restructure which reduced his base salary for 2025. That move increased his cap hit for next year to over $31.5MM, though. Instead of attempting to work out another restructure or an extension, a release loomed as a logical direction for Miami. This move will generate a considerable dead money charge if it is processed immediately. On the other hand, a post-June 1 designation would create $20.23MM in savings for the Dolphins, one of the teams with work to do over the coming weeks to become cap compliant.
Chubb established himself as a productive sack artist during his time with the Broncos. Upon being acquired by the Dolphins via trade in 2022, the two-time Pro Bowler inked a five-year, $110MM extension. Chubb’s first full Miami campaign was stellar, as he racked up 11 sacks and six forced fumbles. An ACL tear suffered late in the season kept him sidelined for all of 2024, though.
Upon returning to full health, Chubb managed to remain in place for all 17 games in 2025. He recorded 8.5 sacks and 22 pressures while handling a full-time starting role. The Dolphins received considerable interest leading up to the trade deadline on multiple fronts, and Chubb was among the top targets for suitors. In the end, fellow pass rusher Jaelan Phillips was dealt while Chubb was retained. Both are now on track for free agency.
Entering his age-30 season, Chubb will be among the top edge rushers on the market. Interested teams could be cautious given his injury history, but the former No. 5 pick has shown an ability to produce when healthy. A contract similar to the one he landed in 2022 should not be expected, of course. Nevertheless, a strong market could emerge prior to the start of free agency.
The Dolphins, meanwhile, will remain a team to watch over the coming weeks. The new tandem of general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley is in line to move on from a number of expensive contracts. The fate of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa remains unclear, but other veterans could soon join Chubb in being on the move.
Tyreek Hill To Keep Playing After Dolphins Release
In 2023, Tyreek Hill said that he intended to play out his contract with the Dolphins – which then ran through 2026 – and then retire. He also said he wanted to reach 10 years in the NFL.
Hill missed the first milestone by a year, but he finished a decade in the league at the conclusion of the 2025 season. He faces a long rehab process from the brutal leg injury he suffered in September and has made other hints towards retiring in the past. In recent months, those factors – as well as his expected departure from Miami – stirred speculation that Hill may have played his last down in the NFL.
But after being released by the Dolphins on Monday, Hill made it clear (via a social media post) that he has no intention of hanging up his cleats. He thanked the Dolphins and their fanbase after his four years in Miami and promised that he “will be back.” When or where that will be are still open questions.
In addition to parting ways with Hill, the Dolphins also cut outside linebacker Bradley Chubb and offensive lineman James Daniels. Hill and Daniels are not receiving post-June 1 designations, which would allow the team to push some of their dead money into 2027. Miami would not, however, receive the resulting salary cap relief until that date. Since they need the cap savings from releasing Hill and Daniels to become cap compliant in the new league year, those moves had to be made right away.
The precise financial impact of Daniels’ release is still TBD, as he has $3.5MM of his 2026 salary guaranteed for injury. He ended the season on injured reserve due to a torn pectoral; if he is still injured, the Dolphins cannot release him until the start of the new league year, according to OverTheCap’s Jason Fitzgerald. Even then, Daniels can file a grievance for his injury guarantees if he believes he is still hurt.
Chubb will not be released at the same time as Hill and Daniels, per Fitzgerald, suggesting that the team is considering a post-June 1 move (or even a trade). Rather than absorbing his full $24MM dead cap hit this year, the Dolphins could move almost $13MM into 2027. However, the team would not see the cap savings until the summer and would need to make other moves to clear up additional cap space before free agency. Chubb has yet to be informed if his official release will happen before or after June 1, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
‘No Trade Market’ For Tua Tagovailoa
FEBRUARY 16: The Dolphins’ preference remains a trade at this time, NFL insider Jordan Schultz confirms. He adds the team does not want this situation to “drag too long,” so a decision could be coming shortly. It could very include a release in the absence of a market on the trade front.
FEBRUARY 13: As the new league year is fast approaching, the Dolphins have been working desperately to figure out a way out of the corner they’ve painted themselves into. As it’s been reported recently that Miami is nearing a decision on the future of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, it appears one option may be getting taken away from the team. 
According to SportsBoom’s Jason La Canfora, there is “no trade market” for Tagovailoa. All conversation from both the Dolphins and Tagovailoa concerning the future has revolved around the idea of a trade. At season’s end, Tagovailoa made it known that he would welcome a fresh start elsewhere, while the team made it known their hope was to trade him.
Our most recent update before this indicated that the Dolphins were still focused on the trade route for Tagovailoa’s exit, and they expressed a willingness to eat some of money owed to the quarterback in order to make it happen.
Just before the 2024 NFL season, Miami made the move to sign Tagovailoa to an extension following a season in which he led the NFL in passing yards while starting every game of the season for the first (and only) time in his career. In the wake of several other record-breaking contracts at the position, the Dolphins agreed to a four-year, $212.4MM deal with over $167.17MM in guaranteed money. Since then, Tagovailoa has missed a combined nine games in two seasons and, after averaging over 260 yards per game in three straight seasons, saw his average yards per game plummet to 190 this year.
We knew that Tagovailoa’s benching this year, combined with his huge contract and injury history, made a trade difficult, forcing the Dolphins to offer up the possibility of throwing in some offsetting cash. Per La Canfora, though, Tagovailoa isn’t a difficult trade piece; he’s a non-starter. Backed by input from several top NFL executives, La Canfora seems to indicate that teams in the league are already so turned off by Tagovailoa’s poor play and frequent concussions that they’re not even willing to take him on at a reduced rate.
La Canfora included a series of quotes from said executives, with several not limiting themselves to the language of polite society. One general manager simply told La Canfora, “They’re (screwed).” He went on to call the contract untradeable, saying that, even with Miami “willing to eat a (boat)load of” Tagovailoa’s contract, they “just don’t see a market for him.”
Another top exec relayed to La Canfora a “four-pronged” list of reasons Tagovailoa and the Dolphins were stuck with each other. It started with Tagovailoa’s inability to effectively push the ball down the field and make plays consistently anymore. It then moved to perceived leadership issues with concerns that he couldn’t move a locker room and comes off as ingenuine. The third prong called his concussion history alone “a no-go for a lot of teams,” and the fourth ended by calling his deal a “terrible…contract that nobody wants to touch.”
If Miami is unable to trade Tagovailoa, they will then be forced with the new decision of whether to cut him or keep him. In keeping him, the Dolphins would be retaining perhaps the most expensive backup quarterback in the NFL. As they attempt to obtain a new, young option at the position this offseason with which to move forward, Tagovailoa’s continued presence could also create uncertainty and doubt in the locker room. Cutting the 27-year-old, though, would shoulder the Dolphins with $99.2MM in dead money without providing any cap savings. Cutting him now would lock that money in for the 2026 season alone, whereas the best-case scenario would see the team designate him as a post-June 1 cut, allowing them to split that $99.2MM over two seasons — still a dire result.
Essentially, though the Dolphins seem to believe they’re making a decision between three options, the rest of the league appears to have limited them to two. Miami will need to figure out how best to work around the massive contract obligations that remain tied to Tagovailoa as they attempt to move on to a new era of quarterback.
Dolphins Release G James Daniels, WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
Monday is shaping up to be an important day for the Dolphins with respect to veteran cuts. James Daniels is also on the way out. 
The veteran guard is being released, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports. Daniels was under contract for the next two seasons, but it comes as little surprise he is being cut given the way 2025 played out. Daniels suffered a pectoral injury in Week 1, and he wound up missing the remainder of the season. The news is now official, per a team announcement.
Instead of Miami’s new regime keeping the 28-year-old in place and hoping for a healthy bounce-back season, a release will take place. The Dolphins will be hit with a dead money charge of $4.8MM by cutting Daniels right away. If a post-June 1 designation is used, Miami will generate $2.42MM in savings against $1.2MM in dead cap. Teams can use the post-June 1 option when processing releases on up to two players per year.
The Dolphins are in position to move on from several veterans this offseason. New general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley will have a number of key decisions to make ahead of the new league year opening in March. Miami was one of several NFL teams which entered Monday projected to be over the cap. In addition to necessary cost-shedding moves, a rebuild will be sought out this spring.
Daniels is a veteran of 91 games and 85 starts in the NFL. The former Bear and Steeler signed a three-year, $24MM pact last offseason to join Miami. That move was set to give the Dolphins a guard starter for 2025 and beyond, but things did not go according to plan due to the injury. A tepid free agent market is likely in store.
The Dolphins are also cutting wideout Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, per Pelissero. He was also added on the open market last year. The former Titan proved to be an effective secondary contributor on offense earlier in his career, but he posted just 11 receptions with Miami in 2025. Instead of remaining in place for the final year of his deal, Westbrook-Ikhine will also turn his attention to the open market.
Miami’s roster reset is well underway in advance of free agency. Other veteran cuts will remain something to watch for over the coming days.
2026 NFL Offensive/Defensive Coordinator Search Tracker
The 2026 head coaching carousel has now seen 10 jobs open since the start of the offseason, as the Bills have fired Sean McDermott. HC firings generally lead to coordinator changes, and several other teams have proceeded with OC or DC moves to start their offseasons. Here are the current OC and DC searches transpiring. As the remaining HC searches conclude, more coordinator searches will be added to this list.
Updated 2-16-26 (1:10pm CT)
Offensive Coordinators
Arizona Cardinals (Out: Drew Petzing)
- Nathaniel Hackett, quarterbacks coach (Dolphins): Hired
Atlanta Falcons (Out: Zac Robinson)
- Bryan McClendon, wide receivers coach (Buccaneers): Interview requested
- Tommy Rees, offensive coordinator (Browns): Hired
- Drew Terrell, wide receivers coach (Cardinals): Interviewed 1/20
Baltimore Ravens (Out: Todd Monken)
- Joe Brady, offensive coordinator (Bills): Mentioned as candidate
- Declan Doyle, offensive coordinator (Bears): Hired
- Kliff Kingsbury, former offensive coordinator (Commanders): Interviewed 1/12
- Mike McDaniel, former head coach (Dolphins): Mentioned as candidate
- Scottie Montgomery, wide receivers coach (Lions): To interview
- Davis Webb, quarterbacks coach (Broncos): Interview requested
Buffalo Bills (Out: Joe Brady)
- Pete Carmichael Jr., senior offensive assistant (Broncos): Hire expected
Chicago Bears (Out: Declan Doyle)
- Connor Senger, pass-game coordinator (Cardinals): Interview requested
- Press Taylor, pass-game coordinator (Bears): Promoted
- Troy Walters, wide receivers coach (Bengals): Declined interview
Cleveland Browns (Out: Tommy Rees)
- Travis Switzer, run-game coordinator (Ravens): Hire expected
Denver Broncos (Out: Joe Lombardi)
- Ronald Curry, quarterbacks coach (Bills): Interviewed
- Brian Johnson, pass-game coordinator (Commanders): Interviewed
- Davis Webb, quarterbacks coach (Broncos): Promoted
Detroit Lions (Out: John Morton)
- David Blough, quarterbacks coach (Commanders): Mentioned as candidate; promoted to Washington OC
- Mike Kafka, former interim head coach (Giants): Interviewed 1/14
- Tee Martin, quarterbacks coach (Ravens): Interviewed
- Mike McDaniel, former head coach (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/13
- Jake Peetz, pass-game coordinator (Seahawks): Interviewed
- Drew Petzing, former offensive coordinator (Cardinals): Hired
- Zac Robinson, offensive coordinator (Falcons): Interviewed 1/15
- Arthur Smith, offensive coordinator (Steelers): Interview requested
Kansas City Chiefs (Out: Matt Nagy)
- Eric Bieniemy, running backs coach (Bears): Rehired
Las Vegas Raiders (Out: Greg Olson)
- Andrew Janocko, quarterbacks coach (Seahawks): Hired
- Frisman Jackson, wide receivers coach (Seahawks): To interview
Los Angeles Chargers (Out: Greg Roman)
- Marcus Brady, pass-game coordinator (Chargers): Interviewed 1/15
- Brian Callahan, former head coach (Titans): Interviewed 1/16
- Brian Daboll, former head coach (Giants): To interview
- Shane Day, quarterbacks coach (Chargers): Interviewed 1/15
- Mike McDaniel, former head coach (Dolphins): Hired
- Arthur Smith, offensive coordinator (Steelers): Interviewed 1/19
- Drew Terrell, wide receivers coach (Cardinals): Interviewed 1/19
- Davis Webb, quarterbacks coach (Broncos): Rumored candidate
Miami Dolphins (Out: Frank Smith)
- Jerrod Johnson, quarterbacks coach (Texans): Interview requested
- Bobby Slowik, passing game coordinator (Dolphins): Promoted
New York Giants (Out: Mike Kafka)
- Brian Callahan, former head coach (Titans): Interview expected
- Jim Bob Cooter, offensive coordinator (Colts): Interviewed 2/1
- Shane Day, quarterbacks coach (Chargers): To interview
- Kliff Kingsbury, former offensive coordinator (Commanders): Interviewed 1/31
- Todd Monken, offensive coordinator (Ravens): Hire expected
- Matt Nagy, former offensive coordinator (Chiefs): Hired
- Robert Prince, wide receivers coach (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/23
- Willie Taggart, running backs coach (Ravens): Joining staff in different capacity
- Alex Tanney, pass-game coordinator (Colts): Interviewed 1/30
- Davis Webb, quarterbacks coach (Broncos): Interview requested
- Charlie Weis Jr., offensive coordinator (LSU): Mentioned as candidate
New York Jets (Out: Tanner Engstrand)
- Darrell Bevell, passing game coordinator (Dolphins): Conducted second interview 2/1
- Ronald Curry, quarterbacks coach (Bills): Interviewed 1/28
- Jon Gruden, former head coach (Raiders): Declined Jets’ overtures
- Frank Reich, former head coach (Panthers): Hired
- Greg Roman, former offensive coordinator (Chargers): Interviewed 1/28; considered finalist
- Lunda Wells, tight ends coach (Cowboys): Interviewed 1/28
Philadelphia Eagles (Out: Kevin Patullo)
- Klayton Adams, offensive coordinator (Cowboys): Interview blocked
- Jim Bob Cooter, offensive coordinator (Colts): Conducted second interview 1/28
- Brian Daboll, former head coach (Giants): Interviewed 1/20
- Declan Doyle, offensive coordinator (Bears): Interview requested; withdrew from search
- Josh Grizzard, former offensive coordinator (Buccaneers): Conducted second interview 1/28
- Jerrod Johnson, quarterbacks coach (Texans): Conducted second interview 1/29
- Mike Kafka, former interim head coach (Giants): Interviewed 1/17
- Sean Mannion, quarterbacks coach (Packers): Hired
- Mike McDaniel, former head coach (Dolphins): To interview
- Matt Nagy, former offensive coordinator (Chiefs): Interviewed 1/21
- Zac Robinson, offensive coordinator (Falcons): Interviewed 1/16
- Bobby Slowik, senior pass-game coordinator (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/23
- Frank Smith, former offensive coordinator (Dolphins): Interviewed
- Davis Webb, quarterbacks coach (Broncos): Interview requested
- Charlie Weis Jr., offensive coordinator (LSU): Withdrew from search
Pittsburgh Steelers (Out: Arthur Smith)
- Brian Angelichio, tight ends coach (Vikings): Hired
- Scott Tolzien, quarterbacks coach (Saints): Interviewed 2/2; withdrew from consideration
- Lunda Wells, tight ends coach (Cowboys): Interview expected
Seattle Seahawks (Out: Klint Kubiak)
- John Benton, offensive line coach (Seahawks): Rumored candidate
- Mack Brown, tight ends coach (Seahawks): Interviewed 2/13
- Brian Fleury, tight ends coach (49ers): Hired
- Hank Fraley, offensive line coach (Lions): Rumored candidate
- Andrew Janocko, quarterbacks coach (Seahawks): Interviewed 2/12
- Mike Kafka, former interim head coach (Giants): Rumored candidate
- Justin Outten, run-game specialist (Seahawks): Interviewed 2/13
- Jake Peetz, pass-game coordinator (Seahawks): Interviewed 2/12
- Connor Senger, pass-game specialist (Cardinals): To interview
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Out: Josh Grizzard)
- Brian Callahan, former head coach (Titans): To conduct second interview 1/22
- Mike Kafka, former interim head coach (Giants): Interviewed
- Mike McDaniel, former head coach (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/16
- Todd Monken, offensive coordinator (Ravens): Interviewed
- Dan Pitcher, offensive coordinator (Bengals): Interviewed 1/21
- Zac Robinson, offensive coordinator (Falcons): Hired
- David Shaw, pass-game coordinator (Lions): Interviewed 1/10
- Israel Woolfork, quarterbacks coach (Cardinals): Interviewed 1/10
Tennessee Titans (Out: Nick Holz)
- Brian Daboll, former head coach (Giants): Hired
- Kliff Kingsbury, former offensive coordinator (Commanders): Interviewed 1/26
- Thad Lewis, former quarterbacks coach (Buccaneers): Interviewed 1/26
- Mike McDaniel, former head coach (Dolphins): Mentioned as candidate
- Bobby Slowik, senior pass-game coordinator (Dolphins): Mentioned as candidate
- Arthur Smith, offensive coordinator (Steelers): Interviewed
- Adam Stenavich, offensive coordinator (Packers): Interviewed 1/26
Washington Commanders (Out: Kliff Kingsbury)
- David Blough, quarterbacks coach (Commanders): Promoted
- Brian Johnson, pass-game coordinator (Commanders): Interviewed
- Tee Martin, quarterbacks coach (Ravens): Interview scheduled
- David Raih, tight ends coach (Commanders): Interviewed
- Drew Terrell, pass-game coordinator (Cardinals): Interviewed 1/9
- Lunda Wells, tight ends coach (Cowboys): Interviewed 1/8
Defensive Coordinators
Arizona Cardinals
- Gus Bradley, assistant head coach (49ers): Rumored candidate
- Charlie Bullen, outside linebackers coach (Giants): Interview requested; withdrew from search
- Don Martindale, defensive coordinator (Michigan): Mentioned as candidate
- Aubrey Pleasant, defensive pass-game coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 2/9
- Nick Rallis, defensive coordinator (Cardinals): Retained
- Karl Scott, defensive backs coach (Seahawks): Interviewed
- Dino Vasso, defensive backs coach (Texans): Interview requested; withdrew from search
Baltimore Ravens (Out: Zach Orr)
- Joe Cullen, defensive line coach (Chiefs): Interview requested
- Jim Leonhard, defensive backs coach (Broncos): Interviewed 1/30
- Anthony Weaver, former defensive coordinator (Dolphins): Hired
Buffalo Bills (Out: Bobby Babich)
- Jim Leonhard, defensive backs coach (Broncos): Hired
Cleveland Browns (Out: Jim Schwartz)
- Ephraim Banda, safeties coach (Browns): Interviewed 2/7
- Charlie Bullen, defensive pass-game coordinator (Giants): Interview requested; withdrew from search
- Jonathan Cooley, defensive pass-game coordinator (Panthers): Interview requested
- Aubrey Pleasant, defensive pass-game coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 2/9
- Mike Rutenberg, defensive pass-game coordinator (Falcons): Hired
- Jason Tarver, linebackers coach (Browns): Interviewed 2/7; finalist
- Cory Undlin, defensive pass-game coordinator (Texans): Held in-person interview 2/14; finalist
- Dino Vasso, defensive backs coach (Texans): Mentioned as candidate; withdrew from search
Dallas Cowboys (Out: Matt Eberflus)
- Ephraim Banda, safeties coach (Browns): Interviewed 1/9
- Charlie Bullen, interim defensive coordinator (Giants): Interviewed 1/15
- DeMarcus Covington, defensive line coach (Packers): Interviewed 1/16
- Jonathan Gannon, former head coach (Cardinals): To conduct second interview 1/20
- Daronte Jones, defensive backs coach (Vikings): Conducted second interview 1/17
- Jim Leonhard, defensive backs coach (Broncos): Interviewed 1/10
- Zach Orr, defensive coordinator (Ravens): Interviewed
- Christian Parker, defensive backs coach (Eagles): Hired
- Matt Patricia, defensive coordinator (Ohio State): Mentioned as candidate
- Jeff Ulbrich, defensive coordinator (Falcons): Interview blocked
- Aaron Whitecotton, defensive line coach (Cowboys): Interviewed
Green Bay Packers (Out: Jeff Hafley)
- Jonathan Gannon, former head coach (Cardinals): Hired
- Al Harris, defensive backs coach (Bears): Interviewed 1/21
- Daronte Jones, defensive backs coach (Vikings): Interviewed 1/22
- Christian Parker, defensive backs coach (Eagles): To interview
Las Vegas Raiders (Out: Patrick Graham)
- DeMarcus Covington, defensive run game coordinator (Packers): To interview
- Joe Cullen, defensive line coach (Chiefs): Rumored candidate
- Jeff Howard, safeties coach (Seahawks): To interview 2/14
- Rob Leonard, run-game coordinator (Raiders): Promoted
- Zach Orr, former defensive coordinator (Ravens): Interview requested
- Aubrey Pleasant, defensive pass-game coordinator (Rams): To interview 2/13
- Jim Schwartz, defensive coordinator (Browns): Rumored candidate
- Karl Scott, defensive backs coach (Seahawks): Rumored candidate, to stay in Seattle
- Jason Tarver, linebackers coach (Browns): Rumored candidate
- Dino Vasso, defensive backs coach (Texans): Mentioned as candidate, withdrew from search
- Joe Woods, defensive backs coach (Raiders): Rumored candidate
Los Angeles Chargers (Out: Jesse Minter)
- Steve Clinkscale, defensive backs coach (Chargers): Interviewed 1/26
- Adam Fuller, safeties coach (Chargers): Interviewed 1/26
- Jim Leonhard, defensive backs coach (Broncos): Interviewed 1/28
- Chris O’Leary, defensive coordinator (Western Michigan): Hired
- Zach Orr, defensive coordinator (Ravens): Interviewed 1/23
- Aubrey Pleasant, pass-game coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 1/24
- Dylan Roney, outside linebackers coach (Chargers): Interviewed 1/26
- Dennard Wilson, former defensive coordinator (Titans): Interviewed 1/23
Miami Dolphins (Out: Anthony Weaver)
- Sean Duggan, former linebackers coach (Packers): Hired
- Clint Hurtt, defensive line coach (Eagles): Interviewed
New England Patriots (Out: Terrell Williams)
- Shane Bowen, defensive coordinator (Giants): Mentioned as candidate
- Zak Kuhr, linebackers coach (Patriots): Clear frontrunner
- Jim Schwartz, defensive coordinator (Browns): Mentioned as candidate
New York Giants (Out: Shane Bowen)
- Daronte Jones, defensive backs coach (Vikings): Interviewed 1/22
- Anthony Weaver, defensive coordinator (Dolphins): Mentioned as candidate
- Dennard Wilson, former defensive coordinator (Titans): Hired
New York Jets (Out: Steve Wilks)
- Mathieu Araujo, cornerbacks coach (Dolphins): Interviewed
- Ephraim Banda, safeties coach (Browns): Interviewed
- DeMarcus Covington, defensive line coach (Packers): Interviewed
- Brian Duker, pass-game coordinator (Dolphins): Hired
- Chris Harris, interim defensive coordinator (Jets): Interviewed 1/18
- Daronte Jones, defensive backs coach (Vikings): Interviewed
- Jim Leonhard, defensive backs coach (Broncos): Interviewed
- Don Martindale, defensive coordinator (Michigan): Conducted second interview 1/24
- Jim O’Neil, defensive assistant/safeties (Lions): Interviewed
Pittsburgh Steelers (Out: Teryl Austin)
- Patrick Graham, defensive coordinator (Raiders): Hired
- Jason Simmons, pass-game coordinator (Commanders): To interview; hired for different role
San Francisco 49ers (Out: Robert Saleh)
- Gus Bradley, assistant head coach (49ers): Interviewed
- Raheem Morris, former head coach (Falcons): Hired
- Jim Schwartz, defensive coordinator (Browns): Rumored candidate
- Joe Woods, defensive backs coach (Raiders): Interviewed
Tennessee Titans (Out: Dennard Wilson)
- Gus Bradley, assistant head coach (49ers): Hired
- Aaron Whitecotton, defensive line coach (Cowboys): Interview requested; hired as DL coach
- Al Harris, defensive backs coach (Bears): Interviewed 1/24
- Mike Rutenberg, defensive pass-game coordinator (Falcons): Interview requested
- Dino Vasso, defensive backs coach (Texans): Interviewed 1/24
Washington Commanders (Out: Joe Whitt)
- Teryl Austin, defensive coordinator (Steelers): Interviewed
- Joe Cullen, defensive line coach (Chiefs): Interviewed 1/9
- Brian Flores, former defensive coordinator (Vikings): Interviewed 1/14
- Jonathan Gannon, former head coach (Cardinals): Interviewed 1/15
- Patrick Graham, defensive coordinator (Raiders): Interview requested
- Al Harris, defensive backs coach (Bears): Interviewed 1/22
- Daronte Jones, defensive pass-game coordinator (Vikings): Hired
- Raheem Morris, former head coach (Falcons): Mentioned as candidate
- Karl Scott, defensive backs coach (Seahawks): Interviewed
- Jeff Ulbrich, defensive coordinator (Falcons): Mentioned as candidate; staying with Falcons
- Dennard Wilson, former defensive coordinator (Titans): Interviewed 1/10
Dolphins Hire Bush Hamdan As QBs Coach
The Dolphins thought they took care of their vacant quarterbacks coach position when they agreed to hire Nathaniel Hackett on Jan. 29. Those plans fell through when Hackett became the Cardinals’ offensive coordinator a week later.
With Hackett out of the picture, the Dolphins requested an interview with Lions offensive assistant Bruce Gradkowski. Detroit denied Miami on Thursday, though, and the Dolphins will now dip into the college ranks for a QBs coach. They’re hiring Mississippi State associate head coach Bush Hamdan, Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports reports. A league source has confirmed the move, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
A former Boise State quarterback, Hamdan has almost exclusively coached at the college level since his career began in 2009. A one-year stint as the Falcons’ QBs coach in 2017 has been the lone exception. That was the Falcons’ most recent playoff campaign, but starting signal-caller Matt Ryan‘s production dropped off considerably from an MVP- and NFC-winning 2016.
After a year working with Ryan, Hamdan returned to college for a two-season run as Washington’s offensive coordinator/QBs coach. Current Bengals backup Jake Browning was the Huskies’ QB in 2018, Hamdan’s first season with the team.
Since leaving Washington, Hamdan has held high-level offensive roles with Missouri, Boise State and Kentucky. He coached Brady Cook, now a Jets backup, for a portion of his tenure at Missouri. Hamdan agreed to join Mississippi State’s staff in early December, but he’ll instead return to the pros in 2026. It’ll be his first time on the same staff as new Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley.
Hamdan will walk into an unsettled QB situation in Miami, which is nearing a decision on Tua Tagovailoa‘s future. Even if the Dolphins retain Tagovailoa and Quinn Ewers, a seventh-round pick last year, rookie general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan will bring in competition this offseason. While it’s unknown what the Dolphins’ QB room will look like in 2026, they’ll count on Hamdan to bring out the best in the group.
Dolphins Nearing Decision On QB Tua Tagovailoa
Tua Tagovailoa entered the past five Dolphins seasons without a threat to his starting job. If he is to return to Miami — and as it stands, it appears more likely than not he won’t — another starter-caliber quarterback will be in the mix.
New GM Jon-Eric Sullivan assured fans at an event Thursday the team is nearing a decision on Tagovailoa’s Dolphins future. While the team is aiming to trade its longtime starter, a massive dead money bill — and the QB’s shaky play as of late — bring roadblocks.
“I don’t know what the future holds right now, and I told Tua that,” Sullivan said (via the SoFlo Sports Show’s Ashley Dominguez) of a recent conversation with the passer. “What I can tell you is we’re gonna infuse competition into that room, whether Tua’s part of that room or whether he’s not part of that room. We’re getting close to a decision, and when we do, we’re gonna let Tua know whether he’s gonna be part of this or not.”
The most recent report of a trade pursuit indicated the Dolphins will be ready to eat some of the quarterback’s 2026 compensation to facilitate a trade. Considering Tagovailoa is due $54MM guaranteed in 2026, the Dolphins may need to eat a sizable chunk of that money to convince a team to take on the former NFL passing leader. Tagovailoa is due a $39MM base salary; that will be a nonstarter for teams considering his 2025 play.
Coming over from the Packers, Sullivan is believed to have interest in bringing Green Bay backup Malik Willis to Miami. Sullivan has observed Willis up close for two seasons, but he will have company in pursuing the former third-round pick.
Willis has elevated his profile as Jordan Love‘s backup, and while it should not be considered a certainty Willis will be an upgrade on Tagovailoa, a handful of teams are seeking a bridge option. The Browns and Steelers are believed to be two other interested parties. The Cardinals, Jets and Vikings are also in the mix for veteran help. The Colts technically are as well, but it is widely assumed they will re-sign Daniel Jones. Meanwhile, the Cardinals are in the same boat as the Dolphins; they are looking to move Kyler Murray in a trade.
Both Tagovailoa and Murray were extended under previous GMs — Chris Grier and Steve Keim, respectively — and both would tag teams with substantial dead money. If the Dolphins were to trade Tua without taking on any salary, they would be hit with $45.2MM in dead money. That is unrealistic. It would likely take Miami picking up much of the tab, thus inflating that hit. The Broncos designated Russell Wilson as a post-June 1 cut in 2024, allowing them to spread his record-setting dead cap number ($84.6MM) over two years. If the Dolphins traded Tagovailoa before June 1, they would take on all the dead cap in one year. That would hamstring Sullivan in his first offseason, one that is also expected to include a Tyreek Hill post-June 1 release designation.
Dead money caused the Dolphins to wait until after June 1 to trade Jalen Ramsey last year, and they have made some painful post-June 1 designations (Byron Jones, Xavien Howard) in the recent past. A post-June 1 Tagovailoa cut, however, would smash the Wilson dead money mark and leave $99.2MM over the next two years for the Dolphins to handle. Naturally, the new regime is willing to eat money in a trade to avoid that scenario.
If the Dolphins rode out Tagovailoa’s 2026 guarantee, the Sullivan-Jeff Hafley regime could move on easier in 2027. No guaranteed money is on the deal after this coming season. Just more than $31MM in dead money would come Miami’s way in total in a 2027 release scenario, and a post-June 1 designation would bring $40MM in cap savings. The Dolphins could also hope a return to earlier form would generate a trade market come 2027.
Benched before Week 16, Tagovailoa would welcome a fresh start. Zach Wilson is unsigned, but the Dolphins have Quinn Ewers contracted through 2028. Will the ex-Packers power brokers be OK extending this relationship for one more year? New regimes generally are less concerned with dead money on holdover players. It will be interesting to see links between Tagovailoa and other teams emerge. At his best, the left-handed QB would be an upgrade for some. But on his $53.1MM-per-year contract, the Dolphins are potentially staring at another sunk cost from a Grier extension.
Dan Skipper To Join Lions Staff; Team Blocked Bruce Gradkowski-Dolphins Interview
Former Lions offensive lineman Dan Skipper is expected to stay in Detroit and take a position on Dan Campbell‘s coaching staff, according to CBS Detroit’s Rachel Hopmayer.
Skipper, 31, retired after the regular season after spending most of his NFL career with the Lions. He stepped into a bigger role as the team’s swing tackle in recent years and also became a fan-favorite for his role as the sixth offensive lineman in the offense’s ‘jumbo’ packages.
Skipper’s official title is unknown, but he unsurprisingly is expected to work with the offensive line, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Perhaps the team will ask him to develop their next jumbo-set O-lineman.
The Lions are also keeping another key contributor in Detroit: offensive assistant Bruce Gradkowski. The team blocked an interview request from the Dolphins, who were interested in Gradkowski as a potential quarterbacks coach, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. The former NFL quarterback and XFL offensive coordinator only arrived in Detroit last offseason, but he quickly became invaluable to the team’s operation after Ben Johnson‘s departure.
Had the Dolphins hired Gradkowski, he would have been tasked with identifying and working with Miami’s next starting quarterback, as the team is expected to part ways with Tua Tagovailoa this offseason. Instead, he will continued to work with Jared Goff in Detroit. Gradkowski will likely play a key role in the Lions’ transition to new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing.
The Lions will not be able to block Gradkowski from future coordinator interview requests, and the club’s desire to keep him suggests that they believe he is heading in that direction. He has not been a coach for very long, but he led the XFL’s St. Louis Battlehawks to strong finishes as their offensive coordinator in 2023 and 2024. That play-calling success could be an attractive asset to other teams in future hiring cycles.
NFL Reserve/Futures Deals: 2/11/26
After they announced 11 futures deals yesterday, the Patriots opted to add on a couple more today:
Miami Dolphins
- CB Miles Battle
New England Patriots
Gutierrez has been a practice squad journeyman since entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Minot State in 2022. This is actually a reunion for the Patriots, who were the first to add Gutierrez to a taxi squad as a rookie after the Broncos, who initially signed him out of college, waived him around final roster cuts. He’s also spent time on rosters in Las Vegas, Kansas City, San Francisco, Cleveland, and Indianapolis, making multiple stops with the Raiders, 49ers, and Browns. Gutierrez has spent time in two games so far in his career, playing three snaps on offense and seven on special teams.
Mitchell started his career with the 49ers, who, in the wake of Frank Gore‘s departure and a Carlos Hyde rental, had resorted to a running back by committee approach in the late 2010s. As a rookie sixth-round pick out of Louisiana, Mitchell played a huge role, leading the team in rushing with 963 yards and five touchdowns, while Jeff Wilson and Raheem Mostert dealt with injuries. In Year 2, Mitchell suffered a sprained MCL in the season opener, and Wilson took over RB1 duties before the team ultimately traded for Christian McCaffrey. Mitchell found his way back to the field, after sitting for several weeks, but tore his MCL just three weeks later. A season-ending hamstring injury in the final year of his rookie contract ended his time in San Francisco, and he spent most of last year in Kansas City, getting cut after only appearing in one game by late December.
After the Patriots opted not to include Battle in their batch of reserve/futures deals, the division rival Dolphins opted to offer him a deal in Miami.

