The Miami Dolphins are releasing guard James Daniels, as per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Daniels’ release is the latest in a flurry of news this morning, as the team also released edge rusher Bradley Chubb and star receiver Tyreek Hill.
The Dolphins signed Daniels this offseason to a 3-year, $24 million contract. The former Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Bears guard had 84 career starts at LG, RG, and C before joining the Dolphins. However, he suffered a season-ending pectoral injury in Week 1 this season, and never returned to the field. It’s worth nothing that he was coming off an Achilles injury in the season prior, a likely factor in the Dolphins being able to afford a veteran guard like Daniels.
According to Spotrac, the Dolphins will save $114,000 in cap space by releasing Daniels before March 13. More significantly, they avoid a $3.48 million salary guarantee that would have become fully guaranteed on that date. However, Miami will still carry a substantial $4.8 million dead cap charge from the move.
As previously mentioned, Daniels is not alone in being released and will be in familiar company at the airport this week. According to David Furones of the Sun Sentinel, the following cuts have been confirmed by his league source.
- Tyreek Hill (WR)
- Bradley Chubb (EDGE)
- James Daniels (G)
- Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (WR)
All of these moves will open up around $45 million in cap space for the Dolphins.
See More: