Financials
The salary-cap picture behind the rebuild: where the 2026 money goes, what the roster reset cost, and the contracts that define the Hafley–Sullivan era. Data as of September 19, 2026 (OTC snapshot) (per OverTheCap and league reporting).
OTC lists 54 active cap entries and still classifies Louis and Harrison as active and Anderson on the practice squad; Adomitis is not yet listed. The official September 19 roster has 53 active, 15 practice-squad and eight reserve players. Cap figures are the dated OTC snapshot, not a reconciliation of the latest transactions.
The cost of the reset
61% of 2026 liabilities is dead moneyMiami is carrying roughly $182.6M in dead money in 2026 — the bill for moving on from the previous core. The 13-player draft class gives Miami a rookie-contract foundation, but future flexibility still depends on existing guarantees, extensions and the cost of filling out the roster.
Top 10 cap hits, 2026
Retained contracts, including reserve lists — per OverTheCap
Dead money by player, 2026
Charges from previous contracts, including players later re-signed
Top 2026 cap hits
Showing 20 of 20
| Zach Sieler | DL | Defense | $11,011,200 |
| Austin Jackson | T | Offense | $6,666,313 |
| Jordyn Brooks | ILB | Defense | $6,214,166 |
| Malik Willis | QB | Offense | $5,672,000 |
| Aaron Brewer | C | Offense | $5,642,000 |
| Kenneth Grant | DL | Defense | $4,990,071 |
| Kadyn Proctor | G/T | Offense | $4,749,112 |
| Chop Robinson | EDGE | Defense | $4,084,426 |
| Chris Johnson | CB | Defense | $3,461,903 |
| De'Von Achane | RB | Offense | $3,154,627 |
Top-20 cap dollars by side of ball
Sum of the 20 largest 2026 cap hits
Dead money ledger
Showing 26 of 26
| Why | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tua Tagovailoa | $55,400,000 | Released March 2026; signed with Atlanta |
| Tyreek Hill | $28,248,750 | Released February 16, 2026 (failed physical) |
| Jaylen Waddle | $23,228,128 | Traded to Denver for 1st/3rd/4th-round picks |
| Jalen Ramsey | $20,868,000 | 2025 trade to Pittsburgh — residual proration |
| Minkah Fitzpatrick | $12,996,000 | Traded to the Jets for a 2026 7th-round pick |
| Bradley Chubb | $10,972,742 | Departed in the 2026 roster reset |
| Terron Armstead | $10,732,750 | Retirement — residual proration |
| James Daniels | $4,800,000 | Released in the 2026 roster reset |
| Zach Wilson | $3,800,000 | 2025 contract residual charge |
| Alec Ingold | $1,995,000 | Released in the 2026 roster reset |
Key contracts
Showing 8 of 8
| Context | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malik Willis | QB | 3 yrs · $67.5M | $45.0M | 2028 | Signed in free agency from Green Bay as the new QB1 — reuniting with the Hafley/Sullivan regime. |
| De'Von Achane | RB | 4 yrs · $64.0M ext. | $17.378M fully · $27.378M total | 2030 | $16M/yr — 3rd among RBs. His 2026 and 2027 salaries are fully guaranteed; the total guarantee includes money that vests later. |
| Zach Sieler | DT | 3 yrs · $64.0M | $34.0M | 2029 | The defense's anchor and highest 2026 cap number on that side of the ball. |
| Aaron Brewer | C | 3 yrs · $52.5M | $21.325M fully · $31.75M total | 2029 | The June extension carries a $6M 2027 roster bonus and later vesting guarantees; it includes one void year for cap purposes. |
| Jordyn Brooks | LB | 3 yrs · $51.3M ext. | $26.5M fully · $35.0M total | 2029 | Extended in July. The deal includes a $6M 2028 vesting guarantee and one void year for cap purposes. |
| Kenneth Grant | DT | 4 yrs · $21.956M | $21.956M fully | 2028 | The 2025 first-rounder has a fully guaranteed rookie deal; a fifth-year option decision follows the 2027 season. |
| Kadyn Proctor | G | 4 yrs · $26.120M + 5th-yr option | $26.120M fully | 2029 | No. 12 overall pick — listed at left guard on the issued depth chart. |
| Chris Johnson | CB | 4 yrs · $19.040M + 5th-yr option | $19.040M fully | 2029 | No. 27 overall pick, acquired with the capital from the Waddle trade tree. |
Cap figures per OverTheCap as of September 19, 2026 (OTC snapshot); contract terms per OverTheCap's current contract records. “Fully” and “total” guarantees are labeled separately where the contract includes vesting guarantees.
Who signs the checks? →
The full ownership structure — Stephen Ross, Ares Management, Joe Tsai, the celebrity limited partners — and the business-side executive team.