The Dolphins made a somewhat shocking move by waiving linebacker David Long on Wednesday to make room for waiver claim tight end Jack Stoll, according to a team announcement.
Long was voted by his teammates to be a team captain in Miami at the start of the season, making his midseason departure a surprise after starting six of the Dolphins’ eight games this year. Anthony Walker took over Long’s starting role in the last two games, and the arrival of former Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson via waivers made Long surplus to requirements in Miami.
Instead, the Dolphins prioritized Stoll to add another tight end to their roster after Alec Ingold missed Monday night’s game with a calf injury. The 2023 Pro Bowler played 39% of the team’s offensive snaps when healthy this year, consistent with his usage since head coach Mike McDaniel‘s arrival in 2022. The Dolphins’ use of heavy personnel required them to add another tight end in case Ingold’s absence extends into Week 11.
Despite losing his starting job this season, Long could still draw interest on waivers from a team looking for linebacker depth. He was in the second year of a two-year, $10M contract with the Dolphins signed during the 2023 offseason, per OverTheCap. Miami will eat a dead cap hit of at least $2.21M — the 2024 prorated portion of his signing bonus — plus $444,444 in guaranteed salary if Long is not claimed off waivers. If another team claims Long, the Dolphins will owe him $2M for the rest of the year and they will not be on the hook for his remaining guaranteed salary. If Long clears waivers, he will become a free agent and can sign with whatever team he likes, while Miami will have a $2.65M dead cap hit on their books.
The Eagles waived Stoll on Tuesday to make room on their 53-man roster for the activation of left tackle Jordan Mailata from injured reserve.