Christian Wilkins, Xavien Howard, and Jerome Baker have departed from the Miami Dolphins. They’ve been key contributors for several seasons. Their absence on game days will be noticeable, but it presents an opportunity for fresh faces to rise and fill their roles. To adapt to Anthony Weaver’s defensive vision in his debut season as the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator, the team has recruited and drafted multiple players.

The linchpins of recent Miami Dolphins defenses have bid farewell to the team. Christian Wilkins, the heart and soul of the defense, Xavien Howard, a standout draft pick of the decade, and Jerome Baker, a consistent leader in tackles, have all moved on from the aqua and orange.

With the exception of Howard, who has been rehabbing from a foot injury and is now exploring opportunities with other teams in free agency, the trio has found new homes elsewhere.

Their departure necessitates the forging of a fresh identity for the Dolphins defense. The aspiration is that Anthony Weaver, the new defensive coordinator, will leverage the talent at his disposal to construct a unit capable of maintaining its status as a top-10 defense in 2024.