Alex Marvez of FOX Sports reports that the reason why the Dolphins haven’t announced the release of either linebackers Philip Wheeler or Dannell Ellerbe is because they are trying to trade them before 4 PM EST today.
Previous reports had said that the Dolphins were releasing Ellerbe and planned to make Wheeler a post-June 1 release.
Both of them were offseason acquisitions a few years during the Dolphins big free agent spending spree in which they also got Mike Wallace.
Ellerbe, still has another three years remaining on his five-year, $34.75 million contract that includes $14 million guaranteed. He stands to make base salaries of $8.425 million (2015), $6.45 million (2016), and $6 million (2017) coming his way.
According to OverTheCap.com, releasing Ellerbe will free up $5.65 million in available cap space while creating $4.2 million in dead money.
Last year, Ellerbe was limited to appearing in just one game due to a hip injury he sustained in early September.
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.
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