Jordan Poyer didn't make the impact the Miami Dolphins were hoping for last season.
The Dolphins signed the Buffalo Bills' former All-Pro safety Jordan Poyer last offseason to pair him with rising star Jevón Holland. Poyer started 16 games for the Dolphins, recorded 98 tackles, three passes defended, and finished a second straight season without an interception. His numbers were down in nearly every statistical category.
The Dolphins will have to address the safety group this offseason considering Holland, Poyer, and Elijah Campbell are all impending free agents. Re-signing Holland looks like a challenge given their cap situation and his lofty price tag. This makes the potential of re-signing Poyer an interesting decision.
With looming questions all over the Dolphins roster this offseason, is Poyer someone they would like to bring back?
Case for re-signing Poyer
The Dolphins have very little flexibility in free agency, making Poyer a cheap, good option to pursue re-signing. He brings veteran leadership to the locker room and will be a cost-friendly option. Poyer's one year deal with the Dolphins last season was only worth $2 million and he will probably get right around the same this offseason.
"There's so many other things that he does in terms of just getting people in the right positions that he doesn't get credited for," Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver said of Poyer in November. "There is a cerebral part of the game, particularly at that position, which is incredibly important and he has graduate level honors in that."
The Dolphins don't currently have great backup plans at the safety position if they let both Holland and Poyer walk. Miami only has Patrick McMorris and Jordan Colbert, a pair of rookies in 2024, under contract for next season.
An early-round draft pick like Malaki Starks could fill a spot, but their best option for next season could be pairing Poyer with the rookie or McMorris.
Poyer might not be the most attractive option after his down season, but bringing him back for another season might make the most sense. A second season in Weaver's defense might also allow Poyer to settle in and play better than a season ago.
Case for letting Poyer walk
Poyer was not nearly as good as the Dolphins needed him to be last season. According to PFF, Poyer allowed 130.1 passer rating when targeted. It was also his first season since 2016 without an interception, forced fumble, or sack. Poyer will be turning 34 in April, and a down season will be viewed as an indication that his best football is behind him,
With Holland likely out the door, it might be best for the Dolphins to start fresh at the safety position. They will already be dealing with a lot of roster turnover in the secondary and team chemistry will be a work in progress, regardless if Poyer is brought back or not.
The Dolphins could decide to spend some more money on the safety position to limit the downgrade of losing Holland. Notable impending free agent safeties include Cam Bynum, Justin Reid, and Justin Simmons. They could also cut their costs by preparing McMorris for a starting role in his second season and selecting a safety early in the draft.
Bringing back an aging veteran Poyer, who had an underwhelming season in 2024, simply isn't an inspiring or promising option for Mike McDaniel's team.
Prediction
Miami will likely be looking at two new starting safeties in their secondary. Even though Poyer is affordable for the Dolphins, there's too many more ideal choices for Miami to go with rather than sticking with the status quo.
The Dolphins are in a difficult cap situation. The additions and subtractions will have to be well thought out and impactful. While Poyer may be affordable, the Dolphins probably won't view him as an ideal fit for the short or long term.
Prediction: Poyer signs 1-year, $1.5 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons
Dolphins cut veteran TE, starting CB to save another $5 million Dolphins release veteran RB to save $2.9 million 5 Dolphins veterans who could be released to save salary cap space