The Miami Dolphins are preparing for the 2025 NFL free agent market, likely targeting to re-sign around a third of their 26 pending unrestricted free agents. Traditionally, they have re-signed about eight players from this group based on past seasons. Key names include QB Tyler Huntley, RB Jeff Wilson Jr., and WR Braxton Berrios. The Dolphins have already re-signed several players from last year’s contingent, such as Kendall Lamm and Isaiah Wynn, suggesting a favorable trend in keeping core talent in Miami.

Some players, like Kendall Lamm, are uncertain about their future following back surgery, while others like Braxton Berrios and Jeff Wilson Jr. face pivotal moments in their careers as they approach free agency for the second time. The team previously re-signed several players to one-year contracts, indicating a strategy of short-term commitments with the potential for future negotiations.

The Miami Dolphins are set to retain their front office leadership, with Chris Grier and Mike McDaniel tasked with determining which of their 26 impending unrestricted free agents to re-sign for the upcoming season.

Among the nine starters from the previous season who are entering free agency are key players like QB Tyler Huntley and S Jevon Holland. The Dolphins' strategy may revolve around balancing financial constraints and performance when deciding on contract renewals.

Some players, such as LB Tyrel Dodson and G/T Isaiah Wynn, are expected to have a higher likelihood of returning due to their contributions last season.

The Miami Dolphins' running game faced significant challenges in short-yardage situations during the 2024 season, with a particularly poor performance on crucial third-and-1 and fourth-and-1 plays. The team completed only 11 of their 20 attempts on third-and-1, marking a success rate of 55%, which ranked among the worst in the NFL. Additionally, the Dolphins failed to convert any of their three fourth-and-1 attempts, joining a small group of teams struggling in this area.

This trend persisted from the previous season, where the Dolphins combined for a lackluster 7-for-14 conversion rate. Recognizing the need for improvement, head coach Mike McDaniel expressed a commitment to enhancing the team's physicality in short-yardage scenarios.

The Miami Dolphins find themselves in a challenging offseason following a subpar 2024 season, ending with an 8-9 record and missing the playoffs. With a tight budget, the team is currently $2.6 million over the projected salary cap, a significant shift from last year when they started $51.9 million over. The situation is exacerbated by the recent $212.4 million extension for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, which increases his cap hit to $39.44 million.

In addition to managing Tagovailoa's lucrative deal, the Dolphins will have to make critical decisions regarding their own free agents, such as safeties Jevon Holland and Jordan Poyer, along with multiple guards and defensive players. The team may have to look for economical options in free agency to fill the roster's gaps, especially in light of potential retirements among veteran players.