The Miami Dolphins have officially released kicker Jason Sanders, a decision that will create $3.9 million in salary cap space for the team. This move follows a challenging season for Sanders, who missed the entirety of the 2025 season due to a hip injury sustained in late August of that year.
During his tenure with the Dolphins from 2018 to 2024, Sanders established himself as one of the NFL’s most reliable kickers. His standout year came in 2020 when he earned first-team All-Pro honors. Over his six seasons with Miami, Sanders boasted an impressive field goal conversion rate of 84.6% and a near-perfect extra point percentage of 99.6%. He accumulated a total of 820 points during his time with the franchise.
The decision to part ways with Sanders stems largely from the performance of Riley Patterson, who stepped in during Sanders’ absence. Patterson excelled last season, converting 27 of 29 field goals, resulting in an impressive success rate of 93.1%. He also made 34 of 35 extra points, achieving a conversion rate of 97.1% and scoring a total of 115 points for the Dolphins.
As Miami prepares for the upcoming season, they are expected to pursue retaining Patterson, who will enter free agency this offseason. The anticipated contract is likely to be at a significantly lower cost compared to what Sanders was scheduled to earn.
Sanders leaves Miami with a commendable streak of 27 consecutive made field goals, including a perfect record on his last 9 attempts from beyond 50 yards. His contributions to the team have been notable, but the Dolphins’ strategic move reflects their commitment to optimizing their roster and financial flexibility as they head into the next season.
