In a pair of strategic moves, the Miami Dolphins quietly restructured the contracts of running back De’Von Achane and center Aaron Brewer in March, freeing up roughly $8 million in cap space for 2026. While these adjustments may have flown under the radar, they offer a window into GM Jon-Eric Sullivan’s priorities as he navigates one of the most challenging cap situations in the league. With the NFL Draft looming, these moves could be the precursor to a major extension announcement.
The Restructure Details
The Dolphins deployed a familiar financial maneuver to create immediate cap relief: converting base salary into signing bonuses and spreading the cap hit across newly added void years.
| Player | Salary Converted | Void Years Added | Cap Space Created |
|---|---|---|---|
| De’Von Achane, RB | $4.6 million | 4 void years | ~$3.6–3.7 million |
| Aaron Brewer, C | $5.25 million | 1 void year | $4.2 million |
| Combined | ~$8 million |
For Achane, the restructure drops his 2026 base salary to the league minimum of $1.145 million, with Miami having already front-loaded the majority of his pay as a signing bonus. Brewer’s deal follows a similar structure, securing him for the upcoming season while creating breathing room for the Dolphins to operate under the cap.
The moves were first reported by Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald and later confirmed by Spotrac, Dolphins Wire, and NBC Sports’ Pro Football Talk.
Critical Context: Miami’s Cap Woes
While the restructures provide short-term flexibility, they’re less a luxury and more a necessity. The Dolphins enter the 2026 offseason in the worst cap position of any NFL team, according to Spotrac.
A few factors have contributed to Miami’s cap struggles:
- Tua Tagovailoa Dead Cap: The team is absorbing $99.2 million in dead cap from Tagovailoa’s release, spread across 2026 and 2027.
- Jaylen Waddle’s Contract Acceleration: Trading Waddle before June 1 triggered the full guarantee of his contract, further tightening Miami’s financial leash.
- Roster Overhaul: With Sullivan and new head coach Jeff Hafley overseeing a complete rebuild, the Dolphins are paying the price for years of mismanagement under the previous regime.
As NBC Sports’ Mike Florio put it:
“The can-kicking was more necessity than luxury.”
These moves weren’t about creating flexibility for splashy signings — they were about survival.
Achane’s Future: Extension Likely, Trade Unlikely
If there’s one certainty amid Miami’s cap chaos, it’s this: De’Von Achane isn’t going anywhere.
Sullivan has been adamant that Achane is “not available” for trade, and the restructure reinforces that stance. By converting much of Achane’s salary into a signing bonus, Miami has made him significantly more expensive for any potential trade partner to absorb.
Achane has been a game-changer since entering the league in 2023, combining elite speed and vision to become one of the NFL’s most explosive backs. Heading into his fourth season, he remains one of the few untouchable pieces on a roster undergoing massive changes.
Still, as NBC Sports noted, “not available” doesn’t mean “untouchable.” The right offer could always shift the calculus, but Miami’s actions suggest they’re committed to keeping Achane long-term.
The Bigger Picture
The restructures of Achane and Brewer are only the beginning. Both players are on contracts that expire after the 2026 season, meaning Sullivan faces a double extension challenge in the months ahead.
The draft, set to begin April 23 in Pittsburgh, is Miami’s immediate priority. But locking in Achane and Brewer on long-term deals will be critical to stabilizing the roster and giving Hafley the foundation he needs to execute his vision.
As Florio bluntly summarized:
“The new regime in Miami inherited a mess. Both as to the roster and as to the cap. The only good news is that these dynamics push the bar even lower for the Dolphins in 2026.”
Bottom Line
Miami’s cap moves may not grab headlines, but they’re a crucial step in navigating an offseason that will define the franchise’s direction under Sullivan and Hafley.
The $8 million in cap space created by the Achane and Brewer restructures gives Miami some breathing room heading into the draft and free agency. But the real test will come in the form of long-term extensions — particularly for Achane, whose value to the Dolphins is undeniable.
The road ahead is steep, and the cap situation is far from ideal. But if there’s one thing the Dolphins have proven, it’s that they don’t shy away from a challenge.
Sources:
— Dolphins Wire / USA Today: Dolphins Restructured Two Contracts, Created $8 Million in Cap Space
— NBC Sports / Pro Football Talk: Dolphins Restructured RB De’Von Achane, C Aaron Brewer Deals to Create Cap Space
— Sports Illustrated: Analyzing the Latest Development With Achane
