The Miami Dolphins have released defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, and tight end Julius Thomas, undoing two of the major acquisitions Mike Tannenbaum, the team's vice president of football operations, has spearheaded the past three offseasons.
These transactions have been expected for days, but didn't become official on the NFL's books until Wednesday. Team's can begin formally contacting Suh, a five-time pro Bowler, and Thomas, a two-time Pro Bowler, on Friday, setting up visits for each. However, it's unrealistic to think teams interested in Suh and Thomas haven't already started discussions with their representatives.
Suh will likely shoot to the top of the free-agent class because of his age (31), level of productivity (48 tackles, 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles last season), and the possible impact he can have on a defense considering he regularly demands a double-team from opposing offensive lines.
By releasing Suh, who in 2015 signed a signed a 6-year, $114.375 million contract, which paid him $60 million over the past three seasons, the Dolphins will gain $17 million in cap space this offseason. But not all of that space can be used right away because he'll be designated as a June 1 cut, which means Miami can split up his $9.1 million cap hit over two seasons.
The Dolphins also finalized previously reported trades that sent receiver Jarvis Landry to Cleveland for a 2018 fourth-round pick and a 2019 seventh-round selection, and bring in defensive end Robert Quinn and a 2018 sixth-round pick from the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for a 2018 fourth-round pick and a 2018 sixth-round pick.
Suh and Thomas' release, and the release of linebacker Lawrence Timmons, which was done on Tuesday, will create nearly $29.1 million in cap space.
Most of that space will be needed to finalize the signing of receivers Albert Wilson and Danny Amendola, two free agents who have agreed to contracts but need to pass a physical on their official team visit, which will likely take place in the coming days.
The Dolphins also restructured the five-year, $60 million contract the franchise gave safety Reshad Jones, and quarterback Ryan Tanneihill's deal, creating additional cap space.
According to ESPN, Jones' 2018 base salary goes to $970,000 instead of $9.375 million. Jones got a $4.05 million signing bonus to shift around the contracts structure.
And instead of a $17.475 million base salary in 2018, Tannehill is getting a $16.7 million signing bonus, according a league source.
Restructuring those two contracts creates $17.6 million in cap space for the previously cap strapped Dolphins, who were $19 million over the projected salary cap last week.
It is also possible that the Dolphins are working to extend defensive end Cameron Wake's contract, creating additional space. The Dolphins have extended Wake's contract by one year each of the past two offseasons.
The Dolphins have also decided to honor the fifth-year option on Ja'Wuan James' contract, guaranteeing the starting right tackle $9.34 million for 2018. That salary makes James the fourth highest-paid player on the roster.
And Miami tendered three exclusive-rights free agents _ linebacker Mike Hull, center Jake Brendel, and defensive back Jordan Lucas _ committing one-year contracts to each of those veterans.
