The NFL never ceases to surprise, and one of the latest twists involves a saga between the Miami Dolphins and a familiar adversary. The Dolphins, who once faced penalties for tampering, now find themselves tangled in irony as they grapple with the man who’s been a thorn in their side – Sean Payton.
Jevon Holland’s departure from the Dolphins isn’t coming as a shock to those in the know. Chris Grier, Miami’s general manager, spread the team’s resources across key playmakers, throwing hefty contracts toward their quarterback, wide receivers, and star defender Jalen Ramsey during the 2024 offseason. The message was clear to Holland – his value was not mirrored by dollar signs in Miami’s financial playbook.
With Holland stepping out, Miami’s defense is left with a significant void at the safety position. As it stands, Patrick McMorris is the only safety on their roster with any real experience under his belt.
Many anticipated that the Dolphins might fill this gap with Talanoa Hufanga, the former San Francisco 49ers enforcer known for his tenacity. Yet, in a move that likely stings Miami’s higher-ups, Payton’s Denver Broncos swooped in, securing Hufanga with a three-year, $45 million contract, $20 million of which is guaranteed.
Payton’s knack for hamstringing Miami dates back a few seasons, surfacing dramatically in the news when Miami owner Stephen Ross’ attempts to coax Payton out of retirement came to light alongside the famed Brady-Gate affair. Miami eventually moved forward with Mike McDaniel at the helm and traded a first-round draft pick to the Broncos in exchange for Bradley Chubb, only to see that pick facilitate Payton’s move to Denver.
Fast forward to 2023, when Miami nearly shattered the record books with a staggering 70-point game against Payton’s Broncos. But Payton’s Broncos had their own resurgence, spearheaded by rookie quarterback sensation Bo Nix, positioning them as formidable contenders chasing the Chiefs for dominance in the AFC West. Though the Broncos fell short in this chase, they dealt Miami a critical Week 17 blow by triumphing over the Chiefs, which ended the Dolphins’ playoff hopes.
Now, by picking off the top candidate for Holland’s replacement, Payton yet again manages to disrupt Miami’s plans. It’s a classic Payton power move, and it keeps the Dolphins scrambling to fill the void at safety as they gear up for another grueling NFL season.
