In the ever-evolving world of the NFL, teams are continuously looking for ways to secure their star players for the future, all while keeping an eye on the financial ball. The Miami Dolphins are no different, as they’re plotting moves that will shape their roster for the 2025 season.
At the heart of their strategy are Jaylen Waddle and Jaelan Phillips, two key players around whom the Dolphins are looking to build their long-term plans. But the waters are a bit murkier when it comes to the future of another standout, Jevon Holland.
Let’s break down what’s on the Dolphins’ agenda as they navigate these pivotal decisions.
The Dolphins have thrown a clear signal of intent by planning to pick up the fifth-year options on Jaylen Waddle and Jaelan Phillips for the 2025 season. This move isn’t just about securing talent; it’s about buying the Dolphins crucial time.
Time that they intend to use wisely, working toward hammering out potential long-term extensions for both stars. It’s a smart play in the chess game of NFL team building, ensuring that these key players remain in the fold while the team shapes the deals that will keep them around even longer.
However, the future isn’t as clearly laid out for all of the Dolphins’ young talents. Jevon Holland, a player whose impact on the team has been undeniable, finds his future with the Dolphins less certain.
Despite this uncertainty, the message from within the team is clear: there’s no intention of letting Holland walk away. He’s valued highly within the organization, and while his contract situation isn’t as straightforward as those of his first-round-picked teammates, it’s evident that the Dolphins see him as an integral part of their blueprint for success.
The clock is ticking, with NFL teams having until May 2 to make their decisions on whether to pick up the fifth-year options on their 2021 first-round picks. This deadline adds a sense of urgency to the Dolphins’ planning, pushing them to finalize these core decisions sooner rather than later. General Manager Chris Grier has already confirmed the team’s intention to pick up the options on Waddle and Phillips, signaling confidence in both players’ roles in driving the Dolphins forward.
As for Holland, being a second-round pick, his situation requires a different calculus. Yet, the team’s sentiment toward him is no less enthusiastic.
Holland is considered an important piece of the Dolphins’ puzzle, and discussions about his future are very much on the table. It’s a testament to his contributions and the complex decisions teams must navigate in managing their rosters under the constraints of the NFL’s salary cap and contract structures.
In this dance of contracts and future planning, the Dolphins are clearly focused on locking down the talents that they believe will be crucial to their successes in the coming years. While the paths to securing Waddle, Phillips, and Holland on long-term deals may vary in complexity, the underlying goal is the same: to build a winning team around core players who have already shown their worth on the field. As these negotiations unfold and the May 2 deadline approaches, all eyes will be on Miami to see how they maneuver through these pivotal decisions.