BREAKING NEWS: After cutting ties with CB Xavien Howard, the Dolphins are scheduled to receive a payout of $25 million after June 1 and may choose to use that money.

After cutting ties with CB Xavien Howard, the Dolphins are scheduled to receive a payout of $25 million after June 1 and may choose to use that money to…

 

 

 

 

The roster for the Miami Dolphins’ 90-man training camp is almost complete, but adjustments can still be made before practice begins in late July. After parting ways with CB Xavien Howard, the Dolphins are slated to receive a payout of $18.5 million after June 1. They may choose to utilize this money to bolster their top-heavy secondary or for trench reinforcement.

The Dolphins’ salary cap space will go from No. 30 to No. 14 as a result. But with no franchise quarterback under contract and the team already $11 million above the 2025 threshold, top free agents like two-time Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons might be out of Miami’s price range.

How about former Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, and San Francisco 49ers safety Tony Jefferson?

The 32-year-old Jefferson declared this week that he will be returning from retirement with the goal of playing in 2024. Before announcing his retirement on May 25, 2023, the former Oklahoma Sooners safety played seven seasons in the National Football League.

After battling a foot injury in 2022, Jefferson played in six 49ers and Ravens games in 2021. On December 13, 2021, he was added to Baltimore’s practice squad. At the time, defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver of the Dolphins was also the team’s run-game coordinator and defensive line coach.

It’s important to note that the last time Jefferson played in more than six games was in 2018. He’s battled a torn ACL and didn’t play in 2020 before spending time on a pair of practice squads.

That said, the Dolphins wouldn’t be signing Jefferson for his 91 total tackles in 2016 or six passes defended in 2018, but instead to serve as a spark for a unit that could use some guidance.

Jevon Holland and Elijah Campbell (two career starts over the last four seasons) are the team’s only returning safeties from last season. Miami added former Buffalo Bills captain Jordan Poyer, 33, and filled out the remaining roster spots with a promising trio of rookies in Patrick McMorris, Mark Perry, and Jordan Colbert.