Miami Dolphins safety Jevon Holland is one of the best free agents set to reach the open market, and the former second-round pick believes he will not return in 2025. Selected out of Oregon, Holland has been one of the league’s better safeties, finishing his rookie season with an 84.7 PFF grade and 2023 with an elite 90.4 mark. Despite this impressive play, the team will not use the franchise tag on him, and Holland’s latest comments outright state the team won’t re-sign him as a free agent.
“Transparency, seeing the Dolphins post things like the Valentine’s Day stuff or like any kind of edit and things like that,” Holland said on the Breaking House Rules podcast. “You can see guys that may not be here next year or may be somewhere else are just not in it. I’m following them on Instagram, right? And I’m in none of this [expletive] no more. I’m like, ok, they’ve kinda moved on.”
Report: Dolphins Have “Moved On” From Jevon Holland
In a vacuum, reading into social media posts might not be the wisest idea, as Chris Grier and Mike McDaniel are not the ones sending those posts. However, Jevon Holland would know if the Dolphins have been active in contract talks, and his latest comments suggest Miami’s front office has not made a serious effort to extend their homegrown talent.
Armed with only $1.5 million in cap space, the Miami Dolphins might be aware they don’t have the money to extend Jevon Holland. While safeties historically don’t earn the same payday as positions like wide receiver or offensive tackle, elite options like Holland still earn sizable deals. If Miami has already accepted the inevitable, Holland could leave for any of the following teams.
Possible Fits
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals should be one of the most fascinating teams of the offseason. Currently armed with nearly $62 million in cap space, the Bengals theoretically have the financial liberty to steal Jevon Holland from the Dolphins and address other needs on the roster. However, they’ll lose $26.3 million when they place the franchise tag on Tee Higgins, and they must work out an extension for star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson.
Cincinnati’s defense was one of the worst in the league last year, and free agent signee Geno Stone had a disastrous first year away from the Baltimore Ravens. This team needs more help in the secondary, but only time will tell if they can afford to bring in a big-name free agent like Holland without sacrificing their ability to retain Higgins and Hendrickson while setting aside money aside for the inevitable Ja’Marr Chase extension.
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers offense is in good shape, as quarterback Bryce Young showed signs of life behind a competent offensive line and with adequate playmakers. However, he won’t be able to win games without a dramatic improvement on the other side of the ball. Carolina ranked at or near the bottom of almost every defensive metric last year, and the team must do something to support their young quarterback in 2025. Signing Jevon Holland away from the Dolphins and pairing him with Pro Bowler Jaycee Horn and (hopefully) Mike Jackson will give the Panthers three quality starters in the secondary.
Minnesota Vikings
Brian Flores drafted Jevon Holland when he was head coach of the Miami Dolphins, so it only makes sense to reunite in Minnesota. Harrison Smith may be retiring, but even if he returns for another season, he’s not getting any younger. With no other high-upside starters at safety, Holland should thrive under Flores and could become the face of Minnesota’s defense for the next 5-10 years.
Main Photo: Jasen Vinlove – Imagn Images
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