As the Miami Dolphins look toward the 2025 NFL season, managing their roster and decisions on free agents will be a key part of their strategy. Among the most significant names on the Dolphins’ roster is Jevon Holland, the young and talented safety who has quickly become one of the key defensive playmakers in Miami. As we approach the 2025 free agency period, the decision regarding Holland’s future will be a major talking point.
Let’s break down whether the Dolphins should walk, tag, or re-sign Jevon Holland based on his performance, the team’s needs, and the current state of the roster.
Jevon Holland’s Impact on the Dolphins
Jevon Holland has been a standout player since the Dolphins selected him in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He immediately showed promise and has continued to evolve into one of the league’s top safeties. With his ability to impact both the passing game and the run defense, Holland has quickly earned a reputation for being a versatile and playmaking safety.
Strengths of Jevon Holland:
- Ball Hawk: Holland has a natural ability to track the ball and make plays on it, whether it’s intercepting passes or creating turnovers.
- Versatility: He can play both deep and in the box, showcasing the ability to cover wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs. This makes him a valuable asset in multiple defensive schemes.
- Football IQ: Holland’s ability to read quarterbacks and understand the offense’s play designs makes him a key component in the Dolphins’ secondary.
- Playmaking Ability: He has a knack for making timely plays, whether it’s a key interception or breaking up passes on third down. His big-play ability can swing momentum in games.
Given these strengths, Holland is not only a foundational piece for Miami’s defense but also one of the leaders of the secondary. The Dolphins will have to make an important decision on his future, as he’ll likely be a highly sought-after player when his contract expires.
Miami Dolphins’ 2025 Free Agency Decisions
Now that we’ve established Jevon Holland’s importance, let’s look at the options the Dolphins could consider when deciding his future in 2025.
1. Re-Sign Jevon Holland
Re-signing Jevon Holland would likely be the Dolphins’ preferred option. Given his playmaking ability, youth, and leadership, securing him for the long term could solidify Miami’s defense for years to come. The Dolphins could lock up Holland with a contract extension that reflects his impact and future potential. The safety market has been steadily growing, with players like Jamal Adams, Derwin James, and Minkah Fitzpatrick commanding massive contracts. Holland could be in line for a similar deal, which would make sense given his trajectory.
Re-signing Holland allows the Dolphins to maintain their defensive core intact and continue developing their secondary. Additionally, with the Dolphins in a win-now mode under head coach Mike McDaniel, keeping young, talented players like Holland in the fold would be critical to the team’s long-term success.
2. Use the Franchise Tag
Another option would be for the Dolphins to use the franchise tag on Holland, especially if they’re not able to finalize a long-term deal before free agency hits. The franchise tag allows the Dolphins to retain his services for another season while buying themselves more time to work out an extension. This is especially valuable for a player of Holland’s caliber, as it would prevent him from hitting free agency and potentially signing with another team.
The franchise tag for safeties in 2025 would likely come in at a substantial cost, but it might be a necessary move to ensure the Dolphins don’t lose one of their top defensive players. The franchise tag would keep Holland on the team for another season, but the Dolphins would then have to work on reaching a long-term deal before the following offseason.
However, the franchise tag is often a short-term solution and can be tricky from both a financial and team chemistry perspective. It might not be the ideal long-term strategy, especially for a player as integral as Holland, who would likely want a more permanent commitment.
3. Let Jevon Holland Walk
The least desirable option for the Dolphins would be to let Jevon Holland walk in free agency. This would be a massive blow to the Dolphins’ defense and would leave a significant hole in the secondary. While the Dolphins may have some salary cap space or might want to invest in other areas, losing a player of Holland’s caliber would set back their defensive progress.
If the Dolphins are unable to reach an agreement with Holland or feel that the price tag is too high, they could potentially explore letting him walk. However, this scenario would likely be a last resort and something that the team would prefer to avoid given the potential impact it would have on the defense.
Key Factors in the Decision
Cap Space
One of the biggest determining factors in whether the Dolphins will re-sign Holland or use the franchise tag will be their available cap space. The Dolphins will need to manage their finances carefully, especially if they have other key players to extend or sign. The team could prioritize securing Holland long term, but they may also need to balance the salaries of other high-value players on the roster, like Tyreek Hill and Bradley Chubb.
Long-Term Vision
The Dolphins will have to assess their long-term vision and whether Jevon Holland is a cornerstone piece of their defensive future. With a young quarterback like Tua Tagovailoa and a dynamic offense, securing a strong defense is crucial. If the Dolphins believe Holland is one of the pillars of their defense, it makes sense to prioritize keeping him.
Player Development
Another factor will be how well Holland continues to develop. If he takes another step forward and becomes even more dominant in 2024, the Dolphins may find it impossible to let him leave. His progression as a leader and playmaker will be critical to their decision-making process.
What’s Next for Jevon Holland and the Dolphins?
The 2025 offseason is likely to be a defining moment for the Miami Dolphins and Jevon Holland. With his potential contract situation looming, the team will have to make some tough decisions regarding how they want to approach their salary cap and roster. For Miami fans, the hope is that the team will re-sign Holland to a long-term deal and keep him as a central figure in their defense for years to come.
With Holland’s ability to impact the game on all levels of defense and his leadership in the secondary, there’s little doubt that he’ll be a priority for the Dolphins as they move forward. Whether it’s a contract extension, the franchise tag, or a difficult decision to let him go, 2025 will be a pivotal year for both Holland and the Dolphins.