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Dolphins Sign Former Vikings TE
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- Dolphins Sign Former Vikings TE
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
The Minnesota Vikings brought tight end Ben Sims into the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2023, let him leave months later, signed him back in October 2025, and watched Wednesday as he chose the Miami Dolphins as his next destination.
Miami found a familiar low-cost tight end after the first free-agency wave.
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The 25-year-old chose Miami in free agency and will battle for a roster spot later this summer.
Ben Sims Landed in a Wide-Open Dolphins TE Room
Sims will have a blank canvas in South Florida, with no clear-cut TE1 on the current roster.
Green Bay Packers tight end Ben Sims (89) lines up during a matchup with the Arizona Cardinals at Lambeau Field on Oct. 13, 2024, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Sims worked as a rotational tight end in Green Bay's offense while coaches evaluated depth during the NFC contest early season home matchup. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images.
Sims to MIA
Miami hired former Green Bay Packers executive Jon-Eric Suillvan this offseason, and Sims spent some time with those very Packers from 2023 to 2025.
Sun Sentinel 's David Furones wrote Wednesday , "The Miami Dolphins already locked in their pass-catching tight end. Now, they found their next in-line blocker at the position. The Dolphins agreed to terms with tight end Ben Sims on Wednesday evening, according to a league source, after previously re-signing Greg Dulcich on Monday night."
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"Sims reunites with new Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, who was Packers vice president of player personnel when Sims was brought to Green Bay. Sims spent parts of the past three seasons with the Packers. He played in all 17 games each of the 2023 and 2024 seasons, starting six, but he was released last October and claimed by the Minnesota Vikings, the team which originally signed him as an undrafted rookie in 2023 but cut him then."
New Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley crossed paths with Sims, too, in Green Bay, though Hafley coached the defense.
Career to Date
In three seasons with the Packers, Sims played in 45 games, starting eight, primarily in 2024. While in Green Bay, he caught eight of 11 targets for 63 yards, one touchdown, and four first downs, mostly from Jordan Love . Sims' role decreased in 2025 when he became the Vikings' TE3. In eight games with two starts, he had three receptions for 30 yards on six targets, mainly serving as a backup to T.J. Hockenson and contributing as a blocker.
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Over his three-year career, Sims has played 581 offensive snaps and 299 special teams snaps, proving himself a reliable backup tight end and special teams player.
PhinPhanatic 's Brian Miller's take on the Sims addition : "What is interesting here is that Sims hasn't put up big snap count numbers on special teams. In 2025, he played on 26% of the Vikings ST snaps, the most of his career. Sims will take up where the departing Julian Hill left off."
"He is a better blocking TE who plays physically. He is one of those players that the Dolphins have said they are looking for: he is intense and loves the sport. The Dolphins need to bring players onto the roster that can provide depth, as well as fill the 'camp-body' needs of the roster."
Oddsmakers expect Miami to win just four or five games in 2026.
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Miller added, "Sims will compete for a roster spot, but there is no guarantee he will make it to September. Working in his favor is the fact that Miami needs cheap options. Clearly, the Dolphins feel Sims can be developed. Fans need to be patient, as we often were not with Hill."
"Tight end is one of the hardest positions to learn at the NFL level. Hill struggled through his first two NFL seasons before settling down in 2025, but he had limitations to his game."
The Dolphins TEs
With Sims in town, here's a look at the Dolphins' tight end room through three days of free agency:
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Greg Dulcich
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Ben Sims
Last year's main option, Darren Waller , remains a free agent, though he's not expected to return in Miami after the Dolphins completely overhauled their coaching staff in the front office.
Minnesota Vikings tight end Ben Sims (89) celebrates with fans following a game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on Dec. 14, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. Sims spent the season serving as Minnesota's TE3 while contributing situational snaps on offense and special teams during the late season road contest. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images.
It's also worth noting that free agent David Njoku could land with a TE-needy team like Miami. He's received no action this week despite an efficient career resume.
All Miami's FA Moves
Miami has been highly active in free agency — unlike the Vikings — especially at the top of the ticket by adding quarterback Malik Willis , who has ties to the Dolphins' new head coach and general manager from the Green Bay days.
Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan speaks with reporters during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on Feb. 24, 2026, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Sullivan addressed roster building and evaluation as Miami prepared for the upcoming draft and offseason personnel decisions during annual league wide meetings this week session. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
Here's a look at their new players from free agency:
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Zayne Anderson , S (GB to MIA)
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Alex Austin , CB (NE to MIA)
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Darrell Baker Jr., CB (TEN to MIA)
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Matthew Butler ,DL (LV to MIA)
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Greg Dulcich, TE (DEN to MIA)
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Zane Gonzalez , K (ATL to MIA)
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Lonnie Johnson, S (LV to MIA)
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Ben Sims, TE (GB to MIA)
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Joshua Uche , ED (PHI to MIA)
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Willie Gay Jr., LB (NO to MIA)
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Malik Willis, QB (GB to MIA)
Miami also made waves last month by dropping wide receiver Tyreek Hill and EDGE Bradley Chubb .
Sims will turn 26 a couple of weeks after April's draft .
