Miami spent the offseason ripping up its old blueprint, but the Dolphins just made one part of the new one unmistakable.
On May 13th, they gave De’Von Achane a four-year, $64 million extension with $32 million guaranteed. A front office willing to move on from bigger names decided the 24-year-old running back was the player it could not treat like another movable asset.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith recently spoke highly of Achane during an episode of First Take, suggesting he might already be one of the league’s best running backs.
Achane’s deal includes incentives that could push it to $68 million, and his $16 million annual salary signals a real shift in how Miami is approaching this roster.
This spring, the Dolphins have made some bold moves, including releasing Tua Tagovailoa despite the massive dead cap hit. Even with so many changes happening around him, Achane always seemed like a player they wanted to build around. They made that clear even before they’d finished putting everything else in place.
Miami’s priorities are already clear
NFL.com reported that getting a deal done became a top priority for new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan after Achane missed the start of voluntary offseason activities on 7th April. That same report noted that Sullivan was clear about not wanting to move Achane, even as other familiar faces were let go.
That is an important detail. It’s rare for teams in transition to make this kind of commitment so early unless there is already a clear vision in place. For Miami, it seems they’ve made up their minds.
To understand the value of his contract, you have to look at what Achane brought to the team in 2025. He ran for 1,350 yards and eight touchdowns while also catching 67 passes for 488 yards and four scores. Even when the offence was struggling, he was often the one player who looked like he could make something happen.
Achane’s extension is more than just a payday
That versatility fits exactly where Miami wants to go. Achane isn’t just someone who needs perfect blocking to be effective – he’s more than a traditional back.
He can move defences around, play a big part in the screen game, and help out his quarterback by turning short throws into meaningful gains.
Smith might be sticking around as offensive coordinator under new head coach Jeff Hafley, but the team is going to look very different by the time camp opens.
Achane’s game should help smooth that transition, providing a link between the old setup and what Miami wants to become.
This isn’t just about money. It’s a statement about how they want to play. The Dolphins can shuffle quarterbacks or wide receivers, but they’ve already picked the one player they want everything else built around.
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