MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins aren’t just trimming the fat; they are tearing the roster down to the studs. New head coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan made their latest sweeping moves Friday, releasing veteran kicker Jason Sanders and Pro Bowl fullback Alec Ingold. The cuts save Miami roughly $7 million against the salary cap as the franchise braces for a massive 2026 rebuild.
The Fall of a Franchise Kicker
Sanders defined reliability in Miami for years. He leaves South Florida riding a streak of 27 consecutive made field goals, including a perfect 9-for-9 on kicks over 50 yards. But the NFL is a ruthless business, and availability often dictates a player’s future. Sanders suffered a severe hip flexor injury during pregame warmups against Jacksonville in August 2025, forcing him to miss the entire regular season.
The Dolphins saved $3.91 million by cutting ties with the 30-year-old. While Sanders rehabbed, journeyman Riley Patterson seized the spotlight. Patterson stepped in and delivered an electric 2025 campaign, drilling 27 of his 29 field goal attempts and hitting 34 of 35 extra points. With Patterson hitting free agency this week, Miami’s front office faces a massive decision on who will kick in 2026.
Ingold’s Departure Leaves a Void
Fans loved Alec Ingold. The bruised knuckles, the lead blocks, the sheer grit. He played 66 games in a Dolphins uniform and earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2023. He cleared lanes for explosive runs and served as a crucial locker room captain. Releasing Ingold clears $3.06 million, putting the team slightly under the cap just days before the free agency negotiating window opens.
You could see the writing on the wall. The front office reportedly offered both players restructured contracts, but negotiations flatlined. The frosty business of roster management won out.
“After the two sides could not agree on a contract, the Dolphins now are expected to release kicker Jason Sanders… Sanders leaves Miami with a streak of 27 straight made field goals.”
— Adam Schefter, ESPN NFL Insider
What’s Next for Miami’s Roster Demolition
Releasing Sanders and Ingold barely scratches the surface of Miami’s 2026 purge. The front office already showed the door to superstars like Tyreek Hill and solid contributors like Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and James Daniels. Edge rusher Bradley Chubb sits firmly on the chopping block, and rumors swirl that quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will be the next massive domino to fall.
Miami is clearing out old contracts to build a war chest for Hafley and Sullivan. The team needs young, cheap talent to fit a completely redesigned system. As the new league year begins next Wednesday, expect the Dolphins to hunt for bargain free agents and load up on draft capital. Patterson will likely get a call from Sullivan’s office, but Sanders and Ingold will find new homes quickly. Good kickers and tough fullbacks never stay unemployed for long.
