ORLANDO — While much of their fan base reacted with disappointment and surprise that Christian Wilkins and Robert Hunt signed elsewhere in free agency, the Miami Dolphins internally had long made their peace with that near-inevitability.
As Mike McDaniel explained at the NFL‘s Annual League Meeting this week, it came down to simple math.
Wilkins and Hunt were two of the best players available in a year the league had the most disposable income ever. While the league’s 32 teams had roughly a billion dollars in available cap space, the Dolphins had to shed tens of millions in 2024 liabilities just to get NFL-compliant.
Miami Dolphins’ Mike McDaniel Reflects on Free Agent Losses
Wilkins — who signed a four-year, $110 million contract with the Raiders — became the NFL’s second-highest-paid defensive tackle when Aaron Donald retired.
Hunt — five years, $100 million with the Panthers — is now the NFL’s third-richest guard.
Even if the Dolphins could afford to match those offers, it’s unclear if they even wanted to, not with extensions due in the coming years to Tua Tagovailoa, Jaylen Waddle, Jaelan Phillips, and Jevon Holland.
Yet, it was telling that the Dolphins even passed on using the $22 million franchise tag on Wilkins, which, given his new AAV ($27.5 million), would have been decent value.
Here was McDaniel’s answer when asked why:
“There is this whole thing about the salary cap, and when money goes to one place, it doesn’t go to another. … The bottom line was we’ve never doubted Christian as a player, but you have to make some tough decisions when you’re thinking of the whole scope of the team.”
In other words, the Dolphins could not have addressed their many holes this cycle — offensive line, tight end, defensive line, edge rusher, linebacker, cornerback, and safety — if they spent it all on two players.
That’s why the Dolphins aren’t beating themselves up too much about the departure of Wilkins and Hunt.
KEEP READING: Your Expectations May Have Changed for Miami Dolphins, But Mike McDaniel’s Have Not
Certainly, Miami could have made a more aggressive attempt to lock them down a year ago at this time, but Chris Grier made what the Dolphins believe were fair offers to both. Wilkins and Hunt wisely passed, knowing they could make more in the open market.
“I think you learn lessons in everything you do,” McDaniel said. “I think from a head-coaching standpoint, I’m very proud of those two guys individually. It wasn’t like it just jumped on our radar. These are things that we were discussing.
“We were in contract talks with Christian last year. We had an offer that we thought was very fair, and Christian chose to bet on himself. In those situations, I think the best result is the team gets a player that’s highly motivated, that earns the contract that he gets.
“You have to keep the scope of the entire team, and the competitiveness that you can put forth at every position. Those situations may arise that way. I don’t think anything from those two players, that whole process, is necessarily going to affect the process of players moving forward. Every individual is different.
“I was very proud on every level, our communication through the process, and it all comes back to the fact that there is a finite salary cap. Sometimes we can’t be the kids spending the money; we have to be the parents that have to look at our budget and make sure we can pay the water bill.”
Miss football? The 2024 NFL Draft is almost here, boss. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!