The Miami Dolphins showed that they are a dangerous offensive team. They scored points in bunches throughout the 2023 regular season, but when it mattered most, they would struggle to produce at the same clip.
Those issues were on full display during Super Wild Card Weekend. Heading on the road to play against the Kansas City Chiefs in arctic temperatures at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, the Dolphins were stifled throughout the matchup.
Some of those issues can certainly be attributed to the weather, but struggles against upper-echelon teams aren’t new for Miami. It was an Achilles heel for them throughout the season and something they will look to address during the offseason.
NFL NEWS & RUMORS: Christian Wilkins, 2024 NFL Free Agency, Miami Dolphins Updates
Making major changes is going to be difficult for the Dolphins. They are nearly $52 million over the projected salary cap currently, as they made major moves during the 2023 offseason to address weaknesses.
To avoid any more weaknesses arising, the Dolphins need to do everything they can to re-sign defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. He was named the team’s most important free agent to bring back by ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques and it would be hard to argue against that.
“The Dolphins and Wilkins failed to reach an agreement last offseason and agreed to table conversations until after the regular season. Well, the 2019 first-round pick turned in a career year with nine sacks and appears to be in a stronger position to negotiate than he was in 2023.
Miami extended Wilkins’ partner at defensive tackle, Zach Sieler, two weeks before the season started but would still need to find a replacement for Wilkins if the sides are once again unable to reach an agreement. Money is tight in Miami — the Dolphins are $55.3 million over the projected cap, according to Roster Management System — but re-signing Wilkins should be a priority,” wrote Louis-Jacques.
NFL NEWS & RUMORS: Christian Wilkins, 2024 NFL Free Agency, Miami Dolphins Updates
Whatever they were offering last season is certainly off the table, as Wilkins’ price tag went up courtesy of his 2023 performance. While going outside of the organization is already difficult, the Dolphins may be forced to find a replacement for Wilkins if they cannot agree to an extension.
Miami made a concerted effort to improve their defense in 2023 and it worked, with linebacker David Long and cornerback Jalen Ramsey being their big additions. They must keep the group together for 2024, as losing Wilkins would create a void in the defense that would be virtually impossible to fill.
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