The winds of change are blowing hard through the Miami Dolphins facility in Miami Gardens, and on Sunday, they swept away two more familiar faces. The team has officially released Pro Bowl fullback Alec Ingold and veteran kicker Jason Sanders, a pair of roster moves that signal a continued and aggressive roster overhaul under new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan.
The decision, first reported by Heavy.com, creates approximately $7 million in salary cap savings for a Dolphins team navigating a tight financial picture. While the release of two established contributors is never easy, the business of the NFL often necessitates difficult choices, especially for a franchise in transition.
Alec Ingold's departure marks the end of a productive and popular three-year stint in South Florida. Signed as a free agent in 2023, Ingold quickly became a fan favorite and a critical piece of the offensive identity. His bruising lead blocks paved the way for the Dolphins' dynamic rushing attack, and his versatility as a receiver out of the backfield and on special teams made him a valuable chess piece for head coach Mike McDaniel. His efforts were recognized league-wide with a Pro Bowl selection following the 2024 season, a testament to his impact as one of the NFL's premier fullbacks.
Releasing a player of Ingold's caliber, especially one who so perfectly embodied the physical style McDaniel often preached, is a stark reminder of the salary cap's relentless pressure. Ingold was due a base salary of $4.5 million in 2026, with a cap hit likely exceeding that figure. For a fullback--a position that has been devalued across the league for years--that became a luxury the new front office could no longer afford. His release saves the Dolphins roughly $4.5 million against the cap with no dead money, a clean and significant financial gain.
"Alec was the heart and soul of our run game and a tremendous leader in the locker room," a team source said. "This wasn't about his performance. Jon-Eric [Sullivan] is looking at every contract through a new lens, and sometimes that means making the tough call for the long-term health of the roster."
The move leaves a notable void. The Dolphins do not have another traditional fullback on the roster, suggesting a potential philosophical shift or a plan to address the role with a cheaper veteran or an undrafted rookie. Tight ends like Durham Smythe or Jody Fortson could see expanded roles in two-back sets, but replicating Ingold's specific skill set will be a challenge.
Alongside Ingold, the Dolphins parted ways with kicker Jason Sanders, the team's primary placekicker since his rookie season in 2018. Sanders' tenure was a rollercoaster of high highs and frustrating lows. He authored a legendary 2020 campaign, earning First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors after connecting on 36 of 39 field goal attempts, including a perfect 8-for-8 from 50 yards and beyond. He signed a lucrative contract extension in 2021, a reward for his elite production.
However, consistency proved elusive in the following years. While he remained generally reliable on extra points, Sanders battled through stretches of uneven performance on field goals, particularly from long range. The pressure of high-leverage kicks in big games became a recurring storyline. Like Ingold, Sanders was carrying a cap number that no longer matched his projected role or recent performance level. Releasing him saves the team an additional $2.5 million in cap space.
"Jason had some incredible moments for this franchise and won us a lot of games," the source added. "But in a reset year, you have to evaluate every position with cold, hard logic. The savings were substantial, and it allows the new regime to bring in their own guy."
The kicking job is now wide open. The Dolphins will certainly bring in competition, likely through a combination of veteran free agents and rookie tryouts. The search will be a key under-the-radar storyline of the offseason, as finding a reliable, cost-controlled kicker is paramount.
The Bigger Picture: Sullivan's Stamp on the Roster
These releases are not isolated events. They are the latest--and among the most significant--moves in a sweeping roster transformation orchestrated by Jon-Eric Sullivan. Since taking over the general manager role, Sullivan has been methodically reshaping the Dolphins' financial and personnel landscape. The goal is clear: create short-term flexibility to build a sustainable, competitive roster for the long haul.
The $7 million in savings from these two moves provides Sullivan with crucial ammunition. That capital can be redirected toward re-signing younger core players, addressing more pressing needs in free agency, or simply carrying over to help manage the 2027 cap. Every dollar counts for a team that has been perpetually flirting with the cap ceiling.
This approach, while logical, carries an emotional and competitive cost. Ingold and Sanders were respected veterans and locker room presences. Their releases send a clear message to the remaining players: past accolades and tenure offer no protection. Performance and value are the only currencies that matter in Sullivan's Dolphins.
For fans, it's a bittersweet day. It's hard to say goodbye to a Pro Bowl performer like Ingold, whose effort was never in question, and a homegrown kicker like Sanders, who delivered one of the greatest kicking seasons in team history. Yet, there is also an understanding that this is the necessary pain of a rebuild--or a "re-tool," as the organization might prefer to call it. The Mike McDaniel era, which began with such offensive fireworks, is now being recalibrated from the front office down.
What's Next for Ingold and Sanders?
Both players should attract interest on the open market. At 29, Alec Ingold remains one of the best fullbacks in football. Teams that employ a heavy outside-zone running scheme or value a physical, pass-protecting backfield presence will be lining up. Contenders like the San Francisco 49ers (who know McDaniel's system well), the Green Bay Packers, or the Cleveland Browns could be potential fits.
Jason Sanders, 30, will join a crowded market of veteran kickers. His proven leg strength and past Pro Bowl pedigree will work in his favor, though teams will be scrutinizing his recent tape. A change of scenery could be exactly what he needs to rediscover his All-Pro form. Look for teams with unsettled kicking situations or those looking for a veteran to compete with a rookie to give him a call.
As for the Dolphins, the work is far from over. The releases of Alec Ingold and Jason Sanders have opened two more holes on the depth chart and added $7 million to the war chest. How Jon-Eric Sullivan uses that flexibility will define the early stages of his tenure. One thing is certain: the 2026 Miami Dolphins will look vastly different from the team that took the field just a few months ago, and the transformation is only just beginning.