The Miami Dolphins are experiencing a significant roster shakeup as they welcome new players to their team, while bidding farewell to a couple of fan favorites who are moving on to division rivals.
Jake Bailey, a former Pro Bowl punter for the New England Patriots, is joining the Dolphins to fill the position left vacant by Thomas Morstead. At just 25 years old, Bailey has already earned a Pro Bowl spot in his career. However, he dealt with an injury during the last season and faced a suspension under head coach Bill Belichick. The reason for the suspension remains unknown, but it led to the nullification of his four-year, $13.5 million contract signed in August of the previous year. Now a free agent, Bailey is set to make an impact in Miami.
Morstead, a beloved player among fans and teammates, has opted not to retire and will continue his NFL career with the New York Jets. This will be Morstead’s second stint with the Jets after parting ways with the New Orleans Saints. He quickly secured a new deal, proving his continued value as a punter in the league.
The departure of tight end Mike Gesicki to the New England Patriots marks another significant change for the Dolphins. Gesicki, who spent his entire NFL career with the Dolphins, signed a one-year deal with the Patriots worth a maximum of $9 million. The tight end market in free agency has been slim, leading to a lack of top deals for players in the position.
To fill the void left by Gesicki, the Dolphins signed free agent Eric Saubert. The team officially announced the signing this afternoon. It’s clear that Gesicki was not part of head coach Mike McDaniel’s plans, as he saw little use during the last season. It will be intriguing to see how the Patriots integrate Gesicki into their offense, which has recently shifted to a run-first approach.
As the Dolphins make these changes to their roster, fans will eagerly watch how the new additions perform and how the team adapts to their absence of Gesicki and Morstead. With the 2023 season fast approaching, the Dolphins hope that these moves will propel them towards success in the competitive landscape of the NFL.