The Miami Dolphins are making significant moves to address their long-standing special teams issues, with head coach Mike McDaniel taking decisive action this offseason. After parting ways with Danny Crossman, their former Special Teams Coordinator, the Dolphins are also looking to shake up their punting game. Crossman, a holdover from the Brian Flores era, had seen his units consistently underperform, prompting changes.

One of the focal points in these changes is the punting position, historically plagued by inconsistency under Jake Bailey. Bailey, once a Pro Bowler with the New England Patriots, struggled to maintain his form in Miami.

Now, the Dolphins are bringing in Ryan Stonehouse, a steady performer since his NFL debut with the Tennessee Titans in 2022. Stonehouse is noted for his ability to effectively flip the field, a skill Bailey occasionally lacked, potentially providing the Dolphins with a much-needed upgrade.

The competition for the Dolphins’ punting job could see temperature rise when you factor in kicker Jason Sanders. Over the past two seasons, Sanders’ consistency has been partly attributed to Bailey’s holding on field goal attempts. Sanders’ preference might play a crucial role in the decisions ahead, as his endorsement could influence who wins the starting punter slot.

Financially, the situation adds another layer of intrigue. Releasing Bailey could save the Dolphins nearly $2 million against the cap, while incurring a minimal $555K dead cap hit. A potential Stonehouse contract could weigh heavily in this decision; if Miami can secure him for less than Bailey’s salary, moving on from the current punter becomes more attractive.

While some might argue the fanfare over a punter change is overblown, Dolphins supporters know better. Special teams have been a thorn in Miami’s side for years, and any steps towards improvement are welcome. As the depth chart shakes out, Dolphins fans can hope this offseason marks the beginning of more stable and reliable performances on special teams.