The Miami Dolphins are bringing back the running back tandem of Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr., according to multiple sources Tuesday.
The return of the duo essentially solves the Dolphins’ backfield puzzle this offseason as the team began free agency with all of its active-roster tailbacks from last season entering free agency. Rumors were swirling of Miami exploring options for trades for top running backs like the Titans’ Derrick Henry or Vikings’ Dalvin Cook.
Both are on two-year deals. Mostert’s contract is for two years and $5.6 million with $2.2 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network. ESPN reported the deal can be worth up to $7.6 million with incentives. Wilson’s contract, according to a source, has a max value of $8.2 million.
The news on the two backs that go back with coach Mike McDaniel to time together with the San Francisco 49ers comes after the Dolphins also re-signed fellow running back Salvon Ahmed, who was entering restricted free agency, on Friday. Wilson had expressed interest in returning to the Dolphins in 2023, and general manager Chris Grier said it was possible the duo would be brought back together.
“We’re very open to those guys coming back,” Grier said at the NFL scouting combine March 1. “We’ve talked about that scenario where they may be back. We may have the same backfield back next year.”
The decision comes after the Dolphins made three moves Monday, the first day of NFL free agency. They added backup quarterback Mike White, linebacker David Long and re-signed reserve linebacker Duke Riley. On Sunday, Miami pulled off a blockbuster trade with the Los Angeles Rams for star cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
While Mostert and Wilson can sign immediately as they return to the Dolphins, outside free agents can begin signing with new teams at 4 p.m. Wednesday. None of the recent acquisitions have been announced by the team as of Tuesday afternoon.
Mostert, who turns 31 on April 9, led the Dolphins in rushing last season with 891 yards on the ground. Returning from a knee meniscus trim that cost him his 2021 campaign, his final season with the San Francisco 49ers, he averaged 4.9 yards per carry after following McDaniel to Miami.
Mostert’s career yards-per-carry average of 5.4 would be enough to be the NFL’s all-time leader among tailbacks over Jamaal Charles if he had enough rushing attempts to qualify.
Mostert, who has had an extensive injury history, showed he can mostly stay healthy in his first season with the Dolphins, tying a career regular-season high with 16 games played. He missed the playoff loss against the Buffalo Bills with a broken thumb and had a minor injury keep him out of a November win over the Houston Texans.
Before the 2021 knee injury that he rehabbed to get ready for last season, an MCL sprain and two separate high-ankle sprains cost him eight games total in 2020. That was after his breakout 2019 campaign, when he accumulated a career-high 772 rushing yards and had his epic four-touchdown performance in the 49ers’ NFC Championship Game win over the Green Bay Packers to reach the Super Bowl.
In 2017, an earlier MCL sprain in his knee cost him the season, and a forearm fracture in 2018 cut that season short.
Wilson ran for 392 yards and a 4.7 average in eight games after he was acquired via trade with the 49ers at last season’s deadline. He added 23 rushing yards in the postseason game at Buffalo.
The Dolphins have Myles Gaskin as a remaining running back on the 2022 roster that’s a free agent this offseason.
