Dolphins To Release RB Raheem Mostert

Raheem Mostert faced an uncertain future after the end of the 2024 campaign, but that has now been resolved. The veteran running back will not be back with the Dolphins next season.

Mostert has been informed by the Dolphins that he will not be retained for 2025 (as noted by agent Brett Tessler). One year remained on his pact, but instead Miami will move forward with a release. This marks a notable turn of events compared to where things stood between team and player one year ago.

[RELATED: Dolphins Cut Kendall Fuller, Durham Smythe]

Returning to Miami on a one-year free agent deal in 2022, Mostert gave head coach Mike McDaniel a familiar option in the backfield after they worked together with the 49ers. Mostert was a key figure on offense with 891 rushing yards; his 4.9 yards per carry average indicated he could remain a leading contributor in the backfield for years to come. As such, it came as no surprise when the Dolphins re-signed him on a two-year, $5.6MM pact.

That investment proved to be highly effective in 2023, a campaign in which Mostert topped 1,000 yards on the ground for the first time in his career. The former UDFA led the NFL in rushing (18) and total (21) touchdowns, playing a central role in Miami’s ground attack. That year also saw rookie De’Von Achane emerge as an important member of the team’s backfield, however, so questions loomed about Mostert’s position in the organization in spite of another new deal being agreed to last year.

In 2024, Achane took over lead back duties with 203 carries. Mostert, by contrast, saw his usage plummet to just 85 attempts; as a result, today’s news does not come as a surprise. By releasing the 32-year-old, Miami will free up $2.95MM in cap space while generating a dead money charge of $1MM. The Dolphins were among the teams which entered Friday over the projected 2025 salary cap, so more cost-shedding moves will be required.

Mostert’s attention will now turn to free agency, and once his release becomes official he will be able to sign with a new team before the league year begins in March. Veteran running backs have generally struggled to land long-term deals on the open market in recent years, although several teams made notable backfield commitments last spring. That could help the Purdue product find a new team, but on the other hand the 2025 draft class is seen as having a number of high-profile running backs. Another short-term opportunity will likely await Mostert as a result.

The Dolphins have Achane on the books through 2026, and he will be expected to continue handling RB1 duties over at least the near future. 2024 fourth-rounder Jaylen Wright is another young backfield option the team can plan around, but veteran Jeff Wilson is a pending free agent. A departure by the latter, coupled with Mostert’s release, would leave Miami in need of a depth addition this offseason.