Miami Dolphins free agency 2026: Team updates Liam Eichenberg, Ethan Bonner status

The Miami Dolphins announced a pair of roster moves on Monday, continuing their preparations for the 2026 offseason. The team announced the tendering of cornerback Ethan Bonner, who was set to be an exclusive rights free agent, bringing the 2023 undrafted free agent signing for a fourth season in Miami. They also announced the release of offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg.

Bonner appeared in 14 games for Miami this year, primarily playing special teams. He recorded 15 tackles on defense, along with two passes defensed and an interception. He provides depth at cornerback for the Dolphins and could challenge for a starting role as he continues to grow in the NFL.

To tender Bonner, the Dolphins had to offer him a one-year contract at the veteran minimum, which is around $1.1 million for the cornerback. With the tender, Bonner cannot negotiate with another team.

Eichenberg’s release essentially allows him to start free agency early – though, after missing the 2025 season with an injury, he likely has a failed physical designation and will have to prove he is healthy before another team will sign him. After the season, Eichenberg seemed to indicate the leg injury that cost him the season could be career-ending.

He joined the Dolphins as a second-round pick out of Notre Dame in 2021. In his five seasons with Miami, he has played all across the offensive line, at different times starting at left tackle, right tackle, left guard, right guard, and center. His versatility helped the Dolphins in times of need, but it never let him fully develop into one role on the line.

Because Eichenberg missed the entire season on the physically unable to perform list, his contract with the Dolphins would have tolled. That would have kept him under contract with the team with a one-year, $1.3 million deal – his 2025 contract rolling over to become his 2026 deal. While the release does not immediately change Miami’s salary cap, it essentially removes an additional hit to the contract when the new league year begins on March 13.