As the NFL gears up for its offseason, the Miami Dolphins find themselves parting ways with a handful of practice squad players, a move that signals the end of the road for quarterback Skylar Thompson’s journey with the team. Thompson, once seen as a potential backup solution, has been released alongside defensive back Nik Needham, wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie, and two other players, Shakel Brown and Deneric Prince. With these contracts expiring, these athletes are now “street” free agents, free to explore opportunities with any NFL team.

Skylar Thompson: The Final Chapter

For those following the Dolphins, Thompson’s departure felt inevitable. The young quarterback, who initially showed promise, found himself relegated after a rocky outing against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3 of the season.

It culminated with his mid-season waiver and subsequent return to the practice squad. The Dolphins initially had faith in Thompson, as noted by GM Chris Grier, but in hindsight, the organization acknowledges missing the mark in securing a reliable backup, especially given Tua Tagovailoa’s well-documented injury history.

The Dolphins’ offensive struggles, amplified when Tagovailoa was injured, highlighted the gap left by an inadequate backup plan. While the offense is tailored to Tagovailoa’s strengths, the lack of adaptability in the system under a different QB’s helm came under scrutiny.

Head Coach Mike McDaniel faced the challenge of adjusting the strategy to fit his other quarterbacks but ultimately, the team’s offseason plans fell short of filling the void. With seasoned veterans like Joe Flacco, Marcus Mariota, and Jimmy Garoppolo available in free agency last year, Miami’s decision to stick with Thompson and Mike White raised eyebrows.

The expectation is clear: the Dolphins must address this critical roster spot heading into the next season.

New Beginnings for Nik Needham

Turning the spotlight on Nik Needham, his story with Miami was one of perseverance—a rookie free agent who clawed his way into a starting role. Needham brought depth to the Dolphins’ secondary, making 27 starts over his tenure.

However, a severe Achilles injury during the 2022 season against the Vikings sidelined him. Needham spent the entirety of the 2024 season on the practice squad, seeing limited action, which signals a transitional phase in his career.

While there’s optimism he might attract interest from other teams, his path forward remains uncertain compared to the more definitive situation facing Thompson.

With these changes, both players and the Dolphins franchise are charting new courses, marking a time of reflection and forward planning. For Miami, improving roster depth and quarterback reliability will be pivotal in achieving postseason success in the coming year. As the offseason unfolds, it will be crucial to see how the Dolphins and these newly minted free agents navigate their next moves in the NFL landscape.