The Miami Dolphins have until March 4 to apply the franchise tag to safety Jevon Holland. But NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe reported that the Dolphins have already made their decision and won’t place the tag on Holland.
That will allow the safety to become an unrestricted free agent in March.
A day after that report, Holland addressed his upcoming free agency with Wolfe on the latest episode of Breakin’ House Rules podcast.
“I’m excited. Me, going into year five, it’s just kind of crazy. It’s dope. It’s almost surreal, like stepping into another organization, or same organization we still don’t know, but say if I do go to another place, going from Oregon to Miami, it’s kind of like I’ve only known those two,” Holland told Wolfe. “So if I go into another one, and I’ve been lucky to have a good organization with the Ducks, and then going right into Miami and still being able to have a good organization with good people in a building, so it’s nerve-wracking, like, am I gonna choose the wrong one?
“But I just gotta trust myself.”
Holland will reach free agency after playing the first four seasons of his career with the Dolphins. He posted 301 combined tackles, including nine tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hits and five sacks in 60 games. He also had 25 pass defenses, five forced fumbles and five interceptions.
In four seasons, Holland started 57 contests for Miami. The Dolphins drafted him at No. 36 overall in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft.
Safety Jevon Holland ‘Excited’ to Reach Free Agency
Miami’s decision to not franchise tag Holland won’t be truly official until March 4. But Wolfe’s report coupled with Holland’s interview confirms the safety won’t be back with the Dolphins.
Holland is already looking forward to his options.
He’s likely excited about the big-money contract he’s going to sign too. Spotrac predicted Holland to have a market value of about $60.2 million on a four-year contract. That would give the safety an average annual salary of roughly $15.1 million.
Pundits never really viewed the Dolphins as a team serious about re-signing Holland this offseason. Part of the reason why was because of their salary cap situation.
Spotrac projected Miami to be about $7.6 million over the salary cap on Feb. 21. That’s assuming the 2025 NFL salary cap is set at $275 million.
On Feb. 19, the league announced an 2025 NFL salary cap range of $277.5-$281.5 million. So, the Dolphins will have a little more space to play with, but even if the cap is set at the higher end of that range, Miami will still be above the limit.
Signing Holland to a long-term deal while getting under the cap was always a pipe dream for Miami. Placing the franchise tag on Holland would give Miami more time to sign the safety or perhaps trade him. But the Dolphins are electing to move on instead.
Potential Javon Holland Landing Spots
Although he hasn’t received any recognition with Pro Bowl or All-Pro consideration, Holland has played well in four NFL seasons. Therefore, he’s expected to have plenty of suitors.
On Feb. 20, USA Today’s Tyler Dragon named the Minnesota Vikings the best fit for Holland. In January, Pro Football Focus’ Mason Cameron named the Denver Broncos the best landing spot for the veteran safety.
The Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, Los Angeles Chargers and Indianapolis Colts have been other teams mentioned as possibilities for Holland.
The Dolphins have the typical three drafts on the first two days of the 2025 NFL Draft. But as of Feb. 21, they have seven selections on Day 3. It would be surprising if they don’t select at least one defensive back who could potentially help replace Holland on the roster.
