The Miami Dolphins waived linebacker and defensive team captain David Long Jr., the team announced Wednesday.
Long, 28, signed a two-year, $10 million deal with the Dolphins in 2023 and lived up to the contract in his first season with the team. The former Tennessee Titans linebacker was Miami’s leading tackler in 2023 with 113, along with a forced fumble, a sack, and nine tackles for loss.
His 92.6 run defense grade on Pro Football Focus ranked second among all starting players in the NFL, behind only Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby’s 92.7.
But Long’s play dropped off this season as a poor fit in Anthony Weaver’s defense. He was a liability in coverage and eventually got benched in favor of 2024 acquisition Anthony Walker Jr.
Long, who was voted a team captain before the season, counted $6.71 million against the Dolphins’ salary cap. If he’s claimed on waivers, another team will take the remainder of the deal. If he goes unclaimed, Miami will eat $3.21 million in dead salary cap space for the rest of the 2024 season.
