RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JUNE 09: Head coach Jeff Hafley of the Miami Dolphins speaks to the media prior to OTA Offseason Workouts at Baptist Health Training Complex on June 09, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) Getty
With the regular season less than a month away, the Miami Dolphins are set to make a large number of roster moves.
Spots on the 53-man roster are still up for grabs and with a few weeks left of training camp, there are still some veteran players hoping to make the most of their opportunity with the Dolphins.
Unfortunately for one veteran, who started four games for the Chicago Bears last season, his Dolphins journey has apparently come to an end.
Miami Dolphins Cut Ties With Veteran Cornerback
Roster Move | We have released cornerback Nick McCloud. pic.twitter.com/MRzDNow4m7
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) August 22, 2026
Prior to their preseason game against the New York Giants at Hard Rock Stadium, the Miami Dolphins posted on X: “Roster Move | We have released cornerback Nick McCloud.”
McCloud signed with the Dolphins on Aug. 10 after spending the 2025 season with the Chicago Bears. Aside from his four starts, McCloud appeared in 15 total games for the Bears last season.
He previously had stints with the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers . McCloud has played in 63 games and started 20 in his five-year career. Despite the experience, it appears the Dolphins chose a separate route for their secondary.
Regarding the timing of the move, Dolphins on SI’s Alain Poupart posted on X : “Dolphins have just announced they’ve released CB Nick McCloud, and have to say I don’t recall the last time a player was released the day of a preseason game.”
Meanwhile, A to Z Sports’ Kyle Crabbs wrote: “And, without knowing all of the details that went into the decision, all we know is that McCloud was cut loose just hours before a chance to suit up and play against the New York Giants in his latest bid to put tape on display that could help his prospects of staying on a roster in 2026…
It makes the team’s choice to release McCloud one to watch. Is there another shoe to drop with a pending transaction? Or did the Dolphins simply see enough to make their decision without the extra tape? Either way, it has the makings of a tough game day twist for McCloud.”
Miami Dolphins Secondary
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The team’s secondary is one of many position groups to feature large question marks. After Rasul Douglas and Jack Jones Jr. left in free agency, the team was left without its top two cornerbacks from the 2025 season. Additionally, their starting safeties Ashtyn Davis and Minkah Fitzpatrick are also no longer on the team.
Regarding the team’s cornerback room, Dolphins on SI’s Alain Poupart predicted it would consist of Storm Duck, JuJu Brents, Chris Johnson, Jason Marshall Jr., Ethan Bonner and Marco Wilson.
Poupart wrote: “This is a tough race to handicap because Duck and Baker didn’t take part in spring practices as they rehabbed injuries. If not for his October torn ACL, Duck should be a slam dunk for this group, but now there’s some uncertainty, though we’ve still got him penciled in.”
Meanwhile, for the team’s safeties, Poupart predicted Dante Trader Jr., Michael Taaffe, Zayne Anderson and Lonnie Johnson Jr. He wrote: “This is another position where we’d almost anticipate a roster addition before the start of camp, but as things stand now the only question is whether Moore — the impressive rookie free agent from Indiana — can make a push for a spot.”
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