The Miami Dolphins announced Monday that eight players will be team captains in 2024.
Wearing the “C” on their jerseys again will be the same offensive quartet from last year: quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, fullback Alec Ingold, wide receiver Tyreek Hill, and offensive lineman Terron Armstead. On defense, it’s a group of newly minted Miami captains: defensive back Jalen Ramsey, linebacker David Long Jr., defensive tackle Zach Sieler, and defensive lineman Calais Campbell, who will don the coveted captain badge along with his Walter Payton Man of the Year patch.
Miami parted with a pair of its captains from 2023, allowing Christian Wilkins to leave in free agency, and cutting Xavien Howard in the offseason. Jevon Holland was the third defensive captain last year.
The Dolphins have the oldest roster in the league, so there’s no lack of leadership and experience on the team. Campbell is entering his 17th NFL season, Armstead will begin his 12th, and Hill his ninth.
Sieler, who is Miami’s longest tenured defensive player on the current 53 man roster, is a captain for the first time. Last season he set the franchise sack record for an interior lineman with 10.
Long will also wear his first captain’s badge in Miami after an outstanding season in 2023 in the middle of the defense’s second level. His run-defense grade last season (92.6) was the best in the NFL among starting linebackers, according to Pro Football Focus. Long signed with Miami last season as a free agent and he’s in a contract year in 2023, so having him as a captain could indicate his tenure in Miami will go beyond this year.
Ingold doesn’t stuff a stat sheet, but he does the dirty work to help others gain their yards and score touchdowns. The tremendous blocker earned Pro Bowl honors in 2023.
Ramsey, who missed the first seven games of last season with a knee injury, was a two-time captain during his time with the Los Angeles Rams.
The recently extended Tagovailoa has now been a captain in each of Mike McDaniel’s three seasons with the Dolphins after not earning the distinction at all during Brian Flores’ tenure.
The Dolphins open their 2024 season on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium against the Jacksonville Jaguars.