Miami Dolphins Release LB Jerome Baker, Prioritize Financial Flexibility

The Miami Dolphins made a significant roster move by parting ways with linebacker Jerome Baker, the team announced on Tuesday. This decision aligns with the Dolphins’ ongoing efforts to regain financial flexibility during the offseason.

Baker, who was drafted by the Dolphins in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, has been a consistent presence on the field, starting 82 games over his six-year career. However, with the team needing to address salary cap concerns, releasing Baker saves Miami $9.8 million against the cap for the upcoming season. Additionally, Baker’s recent wrist surgery contributed to the decision, leading to his release with a failed physical designation.

In a related move, the Dolphins also released cornerback Keion Crossen, who missed the entire 2023 season due to a freak accident injury.

This move follows a series of roster adjustments by the Dolphins this offseason, including the release of veteran Emmanuel Ogbah and the designation of cornerback Xavien Howard as a post-June 1 release, resulting in substantial cap savings for the team.

While discussions regarding a contract restructure between Baker and the Dolphins did not yield an agreement, there remains a possibility of his return to the team after exploring options in the free-agent market. General manager Chris Grier expressed openness to the idea of Baker returning, similar to the approach taken with Howard’s release.

With the start of the league year approaching, Miami has declined to apply the franchise tag to key pending free agents, including defensive tackles Christian Wilkins and offensive linemen Robert Hunt and Connor Williams. However, negotiations could continue with these players before the official start of free agency on March 13.

In other NFL news, the New England Patriots took a proactive step by using the transition tag on safety Kyle Dugger, making him just the sixth player in the last 15 years to receive this designation. This move underscores the Patriots’ commitment to retaining Dugger, providing both sides with additional time to work towards a long-term agreement.