The Dolphins were reportedly trying to trade linebacker Philip Wheeler on Tuesday, but they found no takers.
As a result, they’ve done what’s been expected for a while and just released him. Wheeler was signed as a free agent in 2013, but lost his starting job in 2014 and the Dolphins have other things in mind for the money that Wheeler would have made in 2015. There was no announcement regarding linebacker Dannell Ellerbe, who was also being shopped and is also expected to be on his way out after two years with the club.
The team also announced that they have released guard Shelley Smith a year after signing him to a two-year, $5.5 million deal. Smith played in 11 games and made three starts last season as the Dolphins generally opted for other options at guard before and after Mike Pouncey’s return from a hip injury.
The Dolphins are expected to use some of the cap space recovered through the moves to sign defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and they may also need to fend off an offer sheet for tight end Charles Clay, who is drawing interest from the Bills and Browns after being given a transition tag in Miami.
