Dolphins sign Pro Bowl tailback Raheem Mostert to extension

Raheem Mostert had a career season for the Dolphins, and Miami rewarded the veteran tailback with a contract extension

Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert (31) stiff-arms New England Patriots cornerback J.C. / JIM RASSOL/THE PALM BEACH POST / USA

The Miami Dolphins rewarded Raheem Mostert for the Pro Bowl season he delivered in 2023 by extending his contract one more season.

Mostert, who rushed for 1,012 yards and scored a franchise-record 21 touchdowns in the 15 games he played, was scheduled to earn just over $2.7 million in base salary and roster and workout bonuses because he was entering the final year of the two-year contract he signed in 2023, which was worth $5.6 million.

While the exact terms of the extension weren't made available, it has been reported that the deal could be worth up to $9 million if all incentives are achieved.

It's possible Mostert was given a slight raise this season, and that the Dolphins turned most, if not all of his 2024 base salary into a roster or signing bonus. It's very possible the extension also helped the Dolphins clear additional camp space.

The Dolphins pursued quite a few bigger-name backs last season, attempting to improve the running game, but it was Mostert who led Miami’s ground attack most of the season, right until he suffered a high ankle sprain that forced him to miss the season’s final two regular season games.

Mostert becomes the second tailback whose contract got reworked this offseason because Miami reduced Jeff Wilson’s salary significantly, dropping him to $1.2 million ($200,000 guaranteed) for the season with $425,000 available in workout and per game roster bonuses.

Miami also re-signed Salvon Ahmed to a one-year contract for close to the NFL minimum.

Mostert, Wilson, Ahmed and De’Von Achane, who set an NFL record for highest yards per carry average (7.8) for a back with a minimum of 100 carries and was named to the All-Rookie team in 2023, will compete to determine who will shoulder most of the run game’s carries. Chris Brooks, a second-year player who made it onto Miami's 53-man roster because of a strong performance in training camp and the exhibition season, is also on the roster.

Mostert is viewed as a team leader and is one of head coach Mike McDaniel’s treasured proteges based on their relationship, which goes back to their time together in San Francisco.