The Miami Dolphins continue to slash their payroll to dive further under the salary cap.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reports that linebacker Philip Wheeler will be released with a post June 1 designation, per a source informed of the move.
The 30-year-old saw his play diminish throughout the 2014 season. A solid run defender who struggled even in that aspect last season, Wheeler was a liability in coverage and teams were able to pick on him in space.
The linebacker signed a five-year, $26 million contract in 2013. His release with a post June 1 designation allows the Dolphins to spread his cap hit over multiple years. The move will save Miami $3 million in cap space.
Wheeler's release follows the Dolphins shedding veteran receivers Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson, along with cornerback Cortland Finnegan.
Miami is expected to make a hard push toward signing top free-agent prospect Ndamukong Suh. To do that the Dolphins need as much cap space as possible -- prior to Wheeler's release they sat an estimated $9.5 million under the cap. Wheeler might not be the last casualty from South Beach before the market opens on Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.
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