Before this year’s free agency period even began, the Miami Dolphins kept defensive back Nik Needham from reaching the market himself.
Needham, 27, agreed to a one-year deal worth $1.29 million to return to South Florida for a fifth season with the team.
According to Over the Cap, he will receive a $1.13 million base salary ($400,000). The contract also comes with a $100,000 signing bonus and $67,500 in per-game roster bonuses. He’ll count for $1.13 million against the cap.
This deal is not a guarantee that Needham will be on the team when the season starts. Miami could release the defensive back and save roughly $625,000 while incurring a dead-cap hit of just $500,000.
The Dolphins could use the depth at both cornerback and safety, and Needham can play both, but he’ll have to show that he’s back to his old self more than a year removed from his torn Achilles to earn opportunities in 2024.