The Dolphins are planning to cut linebacker Lawrence Timmons and tight end Julius Thomas prior to the beginning of the new league year on March 14 to help relieve cap issues, per Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. Salguero also speculates that the team may look to shed the fifth-year option for offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James, making him a free agent.
In total, the move would save the Dolphins $21MM and would open up around $11MM in cap space. As it stands without the cuts, the Dolphins are projected to be $7MM-$8MM over a projected $177MM salary cap, with 55 players under contract.
By cutting Thomas, the Dolphins would save $6.6MM in cap room and would save $5,5 MM by cutting Timmons. If they don’t pick up the option on James, that would save them $9.34MM. Salguero points out that $11MM in cap space may not be enough to make a major splash in free agency this offseason, considering what sources described to him as a shallow free agent pool that could lead to prices being driven up for top-level talent.
Timmons signed a two-year, $12MM with the Dolphins last offseason. He appeared in 14 games (13 starts) and recorded 58 tackles, his lowest total since 2009. Thomas ended his first season with the Dolphins on injured reserve. The two-time Pro Bowler was set to enter the second season of a two-year, $12MM deal. James made eight starts at right tackle last season and has made 47 starts through the first four years of his career.
The Dolphins may be in the market for an outside linebacker, with Koa Misi also due to hit free agency. Backup tight end Anthony Fasano is slated to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason as well.
JT to Patriots? Hummmmm
Steelers need an ILB, would only make sense to come back!
Agreed. Looks like Pittsburgh just found their much needed ILB. Timmons loves being in PIT, as his early season escape from Miami in 2017 showed.
Cut Worthless Mitchell and hand his $5m of cap savings directly to LT for 2018.
AGREED on Mitchell. Can’t stand watching him play SOOOOOO deep and have no affect on either running or passing game!
Wouldn’t mind seeing him come back, but $5m is a bit too much for a 32 ILB with declining ability. ~$2m makes more sense.
Tanninbaum ran up the credit card like he did to the jets
@steelers
The Steeler system is better suited for Timmons, I’m not sure about Thomas
Does he still have it. Pats would be a good fit but they won’t pay that kind of money ,