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Dolphins release former second-round pick, OL Liam Eichenberg
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- Dolphins release former second-round pick, OL Liam Eichenberg
The Miami Dolphins released offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg after five seasons, the team announced Monday afternoon.
Eichenberg was once a prized draft pick out of Notre Dame the Dolphins traded up in the second round to acquire in 2021, but he struggled for most of his time in Miami and then missed the 2025 season with an offseason leg injury. Eichenberg was released Monday with a failed physical designation.
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He was signed back to the roster last year, but he spent the entire season on the physically-unable-to-perform list due to the ailing leg former coach Mike McDaniel once deemed "chronic." Eichenberg, who lost weight during the season, was uncertain he could play again when Dolphins players cleaned out their lockers at the end of the past season in early January.
Since Eichenberg spent the 2025 season on PUP, his one-year contract signed to return to Miami at the end of his four-year rookie deal tolled into 2026. He was not officially a free agent until his release.
Never quite finding a permanent home at any position on the Dolphins' offensive line, Eichenberg holds the distinction of starting at all five positions in his time with Miami. He played in played 60 games with 52 starts: 14 at left tackle, 11 at left guard, eight at center, 17 at right guard and two at right tackle.
Originally a left tackle in college, he got his professional tackle starts as a rookie in 2021. As the Dolphins transitioned from Brian Flores to McDaniel as coach, he had Eichenberg kick inside to left guard. A reserve to start 2023, he ended up starting at all three interior positions substituting for injured players that year before reclaiming a starting role as right guard in 2024.
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The release executed by new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan was likely to occur this offseason whether the team had moved on from previous general manager Chris Grier or not.
The Dolphins also announced they tendered exclusive-rights free agent cornerback Ethan Bonner on Monday.
Bonner returns to Miami on a minimum contract to compete for a roster spot. He first joined the team as an undrafted free agent in 2023.
Bonner, who has been up and down from the active roster and practice squad, has appeared in 21 career games. Last season, he made his first career interception, a one-hander at the New York Jets .
