Former Dolphins $15 Million Linebacker Announces Retirement

Anthony Walker spent one season with the Dolphins before signing with the Buccaneers.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 7:55pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a football player in motion, with their body broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of teal, navy, and orange colors, conveying the dynamic and fragmented nature of a linebacker's position.The fragmented, geometric visual style captures the chaotic nature of a linebacker's role on the football field.Today in Miami

Former Miami Dolphins linebacker Anthony Walker has announced his retirement from the NFL after a nine-year career. Walker signed a one-year, $1.37 million contract with the Dolphins in 2024 and started 8 games for the team, recording 68 combined tackles, 1 sack, and 1 interception. He was not re-signed by Miami after the season and joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he appeared in only 2 games before retiring. Over his career, Walker earned $15 million in career earnings.

Why it matters

The Dolphins' linebacker corps has undergone significant changes in recent years, with Walker's departure being the latest. While he was a solid run defender, his lack of pass coverage skills led to him being ranked 78th out of 83 qualified linebackers in 2024. The Dolphins will need to continue addressing the position to build a well-rounded defense.

The details

Walker originally signed with the Dolphins in 2024 after spending three seasons with the Browns and four with the Colts. He was brought in to provide depth and experience at linebacker, but ended up replacing David Long Jr. in the starting lineup during the season. Walker's strong run defense was a positive, but his pass coverage limitations resulted in him being ranked 78th out of 83 qualified linebackers that year.

  • Walker signed a one-year, $1.37 million contract with the Dolphins prior to the 2024 season.
  • He started 8 games for the Dolphins and appeared in 14 games during the 2024 season.
  • After the 2024 season, the Dolphins did not re-sign Walker, and he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
  • Walker appeared in only 2 games for the Buccaneers in 2025 before announcing his retirement.

The players

Anthony Walker

A former linebacker who spent one season with the Miami Dolphins in 2024 before signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2025 and retiring from the NFL.

Tua Tagovailoa

The quarterback for the Miami Dolphins whose rookie contract was a key factor in the team's two-year window of contention.

Mike McDaniel

The head coach of the Miami Dolphins who was hired in an effort to create a two-year window of contention.

Tyreek Hill

The All-Pro wide receiver who was traded to the Miami Dolphins in an effort to create a two-year window of contention.

Jordyn Brooks

The weakside linebacker for the Miami Dolphins who earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2025.

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What they’re saying

“Congratulations.”

— Miami Dolphins, Official Instagram account

What’s next

The Dolphins will need to continue addressing the linebacker position in the offseason to build a well-rounded defense, as the departure of Anthony Walker leaves a hole that needs to be filled.

The takeaway

The retirement of Anthony Walker is the latest change to the Dolphins' linebacker corps, which has seen significant turnover in recent years. While Walker was a solid run defender, his limitations in pass coverage led to him being ranked near the bottom of qualified linebackers in 2024. The Dolphins will need to continue addressing this position to build a more complete defense.