Dolphins Release Veteran LB Tyrel Dodson in Surprise Move

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Dolphins Release Veteran LB Tyrel Dodson in Surprise Move

Originally posted on Dolphins Talk | By Noah Clark | Last updated Aug 30, 2026 12:07 PM ET

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Dolphins Release Veteran LB Tyrel Dodson in Surprise Move

The Miami Dolphins are making another significant move as they finalize their roster for the 2026 season.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Dolphins are releasing veteran linebacker Tyrel Dodson.

The move may come as a surprise considering how productive Dodson was for Miami last season, but it also speaks volumes about the direction the Dolphins are heading at linebacker.

Dodson appeared in 16 games for Miami in 2025 and finished the season with 129 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, five sacks, three passes defended, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Those are impressive numbers, but Miami’s linebacker room has undergone some significant changes.

The Dolphins signed Jordyn Brooks to a contract extension this summer, making it clear that he remains a major part of the organization’s plans moving forward.

Then there is rookie Jacob Rodriguez.

Miami selected Rodriguez in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and his development throughout training camp and the preseason has apparently convinced the Dolphins that he is ready for a substantial role.

Rodriguez had been pushing Dodson throughout training camp. On Miami’s first unofficial depth chart of the preseason, the Dolphins listed Dodson and Rodriguez as co-starters at inside linebacker.

Now, Rodriguez appears to have won the job.

Sources: The #Dolphins are releasing LB Tyrel Dodson.

Dodson recorded 129 tackles, 5 sacks and 1 INT last season with Miami. pic.twitter.com/9UOGA2N4WT

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 30, 2026

The decision is another indication that Miami isn’t afraid to turn things over to its younger players as the organization builds its roster under head coach Jeff Hafley.

Interestingly, Dodson himself had high praise for Rodriguez and Miami’s other young linebackers earlier this month. During an August 7 media session, Dodson referred to Rodriguez, Trey Moore and Kyle Louis as the “All-Pro three” and said he believed the group had a bright future.

Rodriguez, in particular, consistently generated positive reviews throughout training camp for his instincts, physicality and ability to create disruptive plays.

With Brooks locked into a long-term deal and Rodriguez emerging as one of Miami’s most promising young defensive players, the Dolphins apparently decided there was no longer a need to keep Dodson.

That doesn’t mean Dodson’s NFL career is in jeopardy.

Quite the opposite.

A veteran linebacker coming off a 129-tackle, five-sack season should generate interest around the league, especially with teams currently evaluating their rosters and looking for veteran help ahead of Week 1.

For Miami, however, this move is about the future.

The Dolphins have invested heavily in rebuilding their roster with younger players, and Rodriguez now appears ready to become an important piece of Hafley’s defense.

Releasing a productive veteran such as Dodson isn’t an easy decision.

But it may be one of the strongest indications yet of just how highly the Dolphins think of Jacob Rodriguez.

This article first appeared on Dolphins Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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