Here’s the latest installment of our Miami Dolphins Q&A, where South Florida Sun Sentinel writers David Furones and Chris Perkins answer questions from readers.
Q: Any internal reaction from the Dolphins to Tyreek’s 2025 retirement announcement? — Gage Mitchusson on Twitter
A: I wouldn’t immediately call it a retirement “announcement,” but Hill at least let it be known he may have his sights set on a certain year.
The speedster said two things regarding a potential retirement when he appeared on Kansas City’s Sports Radio 810 this week: That he wants to reach Year 10 in his career (he enters an eighth NFL season in 2023), and that he wants to finish out his current contract with the Dolphins. He’s currently under contract through 2026 with Miami, but the deal may never reach that final season at a $56.3 million cap hit with an $11.3 million dead cap number.
No internal reaction from the Dolphins has been put out, but I’d imagine they’re supportive of whatever Hill wants to do as long as he’s available to them for these next few years of a title run window the franchise has created for itself.
With quarterback Tua Tagovailoa still on his rookie contract, carrying a cap hit of $9.3 million in 2023 and the fifth-year option figure of nearly $23.2 million in 2024, the Dolphins are getting him at a bargain now before preparing to pay him upward of $40 million. That, of course, assumes his continued progression and that he remains healthy. But once Tagovailoa starts making big money, it will be difficult to afford everything else around him that the Dolphins have put in place.
Q: In your opinion do you think we trade for [Dalvin] Cook or [Derrick] Henry or is it all smoke? — @Legionofzoom954 on Twitter
A: The Dolphins appear committed, at the moment, to running it back at running back with the combination of Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. leading the way, plus Salvon Ahmed and Myles Gaskin behind them. Maybe they also find a gem rookie tailback, as well, or throw in another cheap veteran into training camp competition.
I don’t see them making a big-splash move in the backfield for the remainder of the offseason. The way something like a move for Cook or Henry opens up is if they’re available midseason for a trade and the Dolphins’ backfield has either suffered a significant injury or is struggling to produce. Then, maybe Miami is willing to pull the trigger on such a deal, similar to how the San Francisco 49ers went for Christian McCaffrey at last season’s trade deadline and using 2024 draft capital to execute it.
The benefit of Mostert and Wilson at this time is that they are potentially high value options for their price — Mostert at $2.17 million and Wilson at $2.2 million in 2023. They’re both familiar with coach Mike McDaniel and his run scheme and complement each other between Mostert’s breakaway speed and Wilson’s power-running ability.
Q: Besides Tua’s health and a questionable O-line (interconnected), are there any weaknesses they should try to address? — Rod on Twitter
A: Finding a legitimate receiving tight end with adequate blocking skills for the outside zone should be a priority between the second- and third-round picks the Dolphins own.
They extended Durham Smythe, who is the longest-tenured offensive player on the roster, added Eric Saubert and still have Tanner Conner while letting Mike Gesicki walk in free agency and trading Hunter Long. A young tight end to develop alongside the group already in place would be ideal.
Along with tight end, and specifically on the offensive line, a right tackle option on the second day of the draft would make sense. Austin Jackson needs competition there, and beyond that, he couldn’t stay healthy in 2022 anyway with his ankle injuries. If not addressed in the draft, a veteran in free agency is needed at right tackle later in the offseason.
Q: Would a small Cam Newton package be a fit with him doing QB sneaks and on goal-line sneaks to keep Tua healthy? — TheRealRashad on Twitter
A: It’s an interesting thought, and Cam Newton listed Tagovailoa as one quarterback he’d be interested in backing up, but the Dolphins appear all set for 2023 with three quarterbacks signed.
It’s Tagovailoa as the starter, and Mike White and Skylar Thompson will compete for No. 2 quarterback duties.
The backup quarterback package for Tagovailoa isn’t foreign to the Dolphins since Tagovailoa became the team’s starter. In 2021, Brian Flores deployed Jacoby Brissett in that role, but McDaniel didn’t continue that with Teddy Bridgewater in 2022.
Have a question?
Email David Furones, or tag @ChrisPerk or @DavidFurones_ on Twitter.
Previously answered:
Dolphins free agency priorities, offseason checklist
Why no change at special teams coordinator?
Will Miami pursue a quarterback this offseason?
Should Tua consider retirement after latest concussion scare?
How impactful can defensive front be?
Should Mike Gesicki have been shopped in trade talks? Why so many penalties?
