Hunt Leaving for Carolina

Hunt had been with the Dolphins since arriving as a second-round pick in 2020

After losing three defensive players on the first day of free agent negotiating, the Miami Dolphins lost a player from their offense — their most significant free agent on that side of the ball.

As with the three defensive players, guard Robert Hunt agreed to terms on a contract the cap-crippled Dolphins were in no position to match. Hunt agreed to a five-year deal with the Carolina Panthers with a reported value of $100 million with $63 million guaranteed.

The likelihood of the Dolphins being able to re-sign Hunt didn't look promising to begin with, but the outlook grew even dimmer after the deals signed by fellow guards Kevin Dotson in returning to the Rams and Jonah Jackson in going from the Lions to the Rams.

Hunt made a little less than $3 million in salary last season and figured to get a major bump all along.

In his four seasons with Miami, Hunt started 55 of 61 games, never missing a game before he was sidelined last season with a hamstring injury.

While he never earned a Pro Bowl invitation, Hunt was a very solid starter for the Dolphins. In 2023, he earned the sixth-highest grade among guards from Pro Football Focus.

WHAT NOW FOR THE OFFENSIVE LINE?

Hunt's departure will leave a gaping hole on the Dolphins offensive line, and it could get worse if Miami also loses left guard Isaiah Wynn and center Connor Williams via free agency.

Taking an interior offensive lineman in the draft certainly is a distinct possibility for the Dolphins, as is signing a guard or center in free agency — at a much lower cost than what Hunt got.

In the meantime, the leading candidates to replace Hunt as the starting right guard based on who's on the roster would be Lester Cotton, Liam Eichenberg or the recently re-signed Robert Jones.

No matter how it shakes out, Hunt will be difficult to replace.

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