The Phinsider
Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel was straight forward with his answers in Indianapolis.
The NFL offseason is officially underway with all 32 teams gathering in Indianapolis for the NFL Combine. With only 16 days until the new league year begins, this is likely the last time we’ll hear from teams before free agency officially opens on March 12.
The Miami Dolphins enter a make-or-break offseason with waves of questions on both sides of the football. While Chris Grier was among a handful of general managers not expected to speak at the Combine, coach Mike McDaniel took questions from reporters Tuesday morning — here are four of the largest takeaways:
Rumors about a wrist injury for the five-time All-Pro receiver lingered for most of the season. McDaniel cleared the air Tuesday, confirming Hill underwent wrist surgery for a ligament issue.
Hill caught two of three targets for 20 yards against the New York Jets before removing himself from the 2024 season finale. The offseason began with reports of Miami being uninterested in trading Hill, but NFL Network’s Cam Wolfe added a wrinkle last week.
“I’ve not talked to anybody with the team who said 100% certain they will not trade him,” Wolfe said on NFL Network’s The Insiders. “Unless we hear otherwise that will continue to be a lingering story.”
On top of that, Joe Rose reported on his WQAM 560 morning show that Hill may have influenced the decision to part ways with wide receivers coach Wes Welker.
The drama surrounding Hill, and his $28 million cap hit for 2025, will continue as a talking point throughout the offseason.
Jevon Holland, a former second-round pick, has had inconsistent production over the last year, but it’s still rare to see a talented 25-year-old hit free agency. With holes throughout the roster and limited capital, Holland is expected to follow in the footsteps of Christian Wilkins and Robert Hunt — hit free agency as top-of-the-market players at their position.
McDaniel echoed a familiar line, saying that Holland earned the right to be a free agent. While things can always change, it sounds like McDaniel acknowledging that a payday is coming for the former Oregon standout, and it may not be with Miami.
Holland appeared in 33 of 34 games over his first two seasons, but that has dropped to just 17 of the last 34 contests. A turnover machine early in his career, Holland forced just one turnover across 15 appearances last season and failed to intercept a pass for the first time in his professional career.
Miami could restructure contracts to retain Holland, but given their roster needs, they may instead choose to overhaul the safety position through the draft and free agency in 2025.
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