Dolphins Designate LB Philip Wheeler As Post-June 1 Release, Free Up $3M In Cap Space

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Miami Dolphins are releasing LB Philip Wheeler with the post-June 1 designation.

Wheeler’s name has come up numerous times as a potential cap casualty for the Dolphins, so this is one of the least surprising moves.

According to OverTheCap.com, releasing Wheeler after June 1 will free up $3 million in cap space while creating $1.4 million in dead money.

Wheeler, 30, still had three years remaining on his five-year, $26 million contract that included $13 million guaranteed. He would have made base salaries of $2.9 million (2015) and $4.9 million (2016-2017) over the remainder of the contract.

In 2014, Wheeler appeared in 15 games and recorded 45 tackles for the Dolphins. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 18 outside linebacker in a 4-3 system out of 40 qualifying players.