The Miami Dolphins roster purge is continuing into Thursday.
Just a day after the release of Ndamukong Suh and Julius Thomas became official, center Mike Pouncey has requested a release from the team. It’s expected that the Dolphins will comply with his request, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Doing so will put Miami on the hook for $2 million in dead money but they’ll also clear $7 million in cap space.
Dolphins center Mike Pouncey has requested his release and Miami is expected to grant it today, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 15, 2018
Mike Pouncey Requests Release From Miami Dolphins; Team Expected to Grant It
Pouncey has spent his seven-year career as a member of the Dolphins. The three-time Pro Bowler has played both center and the right guard during his tenure. In 2017, Pouncey started all 16 games for the Dolphins for only the third time in his career.
Pouncey was entering year four of his five-year/$52.2million contract with Miami that he signed in 2015. 2017 was not Pouncey’s best season according to advanced stats site Pro Football Focus. He finished with an overall grade of 46.5 which ranked 27th out of all centers and was ranked 20th in run blocking, the worst finish of his career.
Despite his struggles in the run game, Pouncey emerged as a very reliable pass blocker this season. He was among the top five most efficient pass blocking centers during the 2017 season. His 971 snaps played were the most of his career since 2012.
Pouncey was set to be the sixth-highest paid center in 2018 but with his release, the Dolphins will save over $5 million in cap space this year and have $2 million in dead money.
Pouncey was drafted in the first round with the 15th overall pick by the Miami Dolphins in the 2011 NFL Draft. Prior to his pro career, he played four seasons at the University of Florida and won a National Championship in 2009 when the Gators defeated the Oklahoma Sooners 24-14.
Pouncey played three collegiate seasons at guard alongside his identical twin brother Maurkice Pouncey. When his brother declared for the draft in 2010, Pouncey made the move from guard to center his senior year at Florida. Ma. Pouncey was also a first-round draft pick selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers and spent his entire career with the team. Mike is one minute older than his brother Maurkice.
