MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – After heading into a free agency with the third-highest salary cap in 2024, it appears as if the Miami Dolphins might be letting some of their key defensive players test the market.
The Dolphins announced the release of veteran defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah on Friday.
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The move will save the Dolphins close to $14M in cap space, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Miami first signed Ogbah in 2020 under then-head coach Brian Flores.
He was awarded a four-year, $65 million extension in 2022 after leading the team in sacks during the 2021 and 2022 seasons, though a torn triceps ended his 2022 season early.
The 30-year-old appeared in 15 games last season, registering five sacks, a forced fumble and an interception on the year.
The news of Ogbah’s possible release comes just one day after a report stated that the Dolphins were looking to keep star defensive lineman Christian Wilkins, who could receive the franchise tag in 2024.
ESPN’s Mike Garafolo also reported Friday that the Dolphins plan on releasing cornerback Xavien Howard when the new league year starts.
Howard, 30, is a four-time Pro Bowler and has racked up 29 interceptions in his Dolphins career. He is the longest-tenured Dolphins player on the active roster since being selected in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
The Dolphins will have to clear more cap space after general manager Chris Grier told reporters in January that the team is looking to resign quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to a long-term deal as he enters the last year of his contract in 2024.