The Miami Dolphins continue a targeted focus on their defensive secondary and special teams as the NFL’s 2026 free agency period kicks off. According to reports, the Dolphins have added former Las Vegas Raiders defensive back Lonnie Johnson, Jr., former Green Bay Packers safety Zayne Anderson, and former New England Patriots cornerback Alex Austin.
Miami, FL
Dolphins focus on secondary, special teams with addition of three players
The Dolphins added cornerback Darrell Baker and re-signed cornerback A.J. Green III earlier on Wednesday.
Who is Lonnie Johnson, Jr.?
A 2019 second-round pick by the Houston Texans, Johnson has bounced around the league, with Miami marking his seventh different team as he enters his eighth season. He spent three years with the Texans before a preseason stint with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022. He was claimed off waivers by the Tennessee Titans, spending the 2022 season there before moving over to the New Orleans Saints in 2023.
Johnson returned to the Texans in 2024, but was released at the end of the preseason. He signed to the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad that year, then was promoted to the active roster. In 2025, he signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, starting the year on injured reserve before being activated in Week 10.
In seven seasons, he has 224 tackles, one fumble recovery, 17 passes defensed, and four interceptions in 92 games played (22 starts). Last year, he was primarily a safety for the Raiders, however he has spent much of his career playing both defense and special teams.
What are Johnson’s contract details?
Johnson and the Dolphins agreed to terms on a one-year contract. No monetary information was reported.
An undrafted free agent out of BYU in 2021, Anderson first joined the Kansas City Chiefs, spending two seasons primarily on the team’s practice squad. He joined the Buffalo Bills ahead of the 2023 season but was cut at the end of the preseason and was claimed off waivers by the Packers. The 29-year-old has appeared in 47 games during his five-year career, tallying 36 tackles, two fumble recoveries, two passes defensed, and an interception.
He played just 22 defensive snaps last year for the Packers, but was in on 206 special teams plays. For his career, he has 700 special teams snaps, compared to 145 defensive snaps.
Anderson ended 2025 with an ankle injury, but had seen action in all 16 games prior to the final week of the season. He follows new Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley and new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan from the Packers to Miami. The Dolphins are also expected to sign former Packers quarterback Malik Willis.
What are Anderson’s contract details?
Anderson was a restricted free agent prior to Wednesday, but the Packers did not place a qualifying tender on him. They had tried to work out a new contract below the $3.5 million tender, but could not come to an agreement and Anderson was allowed to become an unrestricted free agent when the new league year began at 4 p.m. Eastern.
No details of Anderon’s contract were reported.
The former Patriots cornerback continues to work his way through the AFC East, having originally been a seventh-round draft pick in 2023 by the Buffalo Bills. He was waived at the end of the preseason and was claimed off waivers by the Houston Texans, then was waived on November 1 and signed to the practice squad. The next day, the Patriots poached Austin, signing him to their active roster.
After bouncing aorund as a rookie, Austin returned to the Patriots for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. He has appeared in 29 games (6 starts) during his three seasons, recording 31 tackles, eight passes defensed, and an interception.
As with the other two players above, Austin has seen plenty of playing time on special teams and likely will continue with that role with the Dolphins.
What are Austin’s contract details?
Like Anderson, Austin was set to be a restricted free agent, but the Patriots chose not to tender him. According to Schultz, Austin has agreed to a one-year contract with Miami. No compensation was reported.
South Florida is gearing up for a Fourth of July celebration like no other, as the nation marks its 250th birthday.
On Fort Lauderdale Beach, the city’s annual Fourth of July Spectacular begins at noon. The free event includes a country concert with Walker Hayes at 7:30 p.m., a drone show and a fireworks display.
“Now that there’s a country concert, we’re definitely going to be here,” said Katherine Harrison, from Davie.
In downtown Miami, Bayfront Park is hosting a free all-day concert lineup that includes Ja Rule, Ashanti, Shaggy and Willy Chirino. The park’s FIFA World Cup fan zone is expanding for the 250th celebration.
“The World Cup is going on right now, Messi is in town, so I think the family is excited,” said Tito Harris, visiting from Fort Myers.
The Museum of Miami is hosting the Freedom Plane National Tour exhibit, where visitors can view an original engraving of the Declaration of Independence and other historic documents. The museum plaza will also hold a special celebration on the Fourth.
“I really do love our country despite all of its differences and celebrating this year is pretty cool because it’s 250 years,” said Barry Lee, visiting from Charlotte, North Carolina.
For a full list of Fourth of July events across South Florida, click here.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — As South Florida prepares for a busy Fourth of July holiday weekend, the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office is reminding residents and visitors to celebrate responsibly.
Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz joined local, state and federal public safety partners Wednesday to outline safety efforts and enforcement plans ahead of the Independence Day weekend, which coincides with the nation’s 250th birthday celebration.
During the news conference, Cordero-Stutz urged the public to avoid dangerous behaviors that can quickly turn celebrations into tragedies.
The sheriff reminded drivers not to get behind the wheel after drinking, encouraged boaters to use caution on the water and warned against firing guns into the air, noting that celebratory gunfire can have deadly consequences.
“As millions of Americans gather to mark this milestone, our shared responsibility in Miami-Dade County is to help ensure those celebrations are remembered for all the right reasons,” Cordero-Stutz said.
The sheriff’s office said deputies will be working alongside local, state and federal public safety agencies throughout the holiday weekend to help keep communities safe.
Authorities are encouraging anyone celebrating Independence Day to plan ahead by designating a sober driver, following boating safety guidelines and leaving fireworks and firearms to the professionals.
🏠 News From Your Neighborhood
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Miami, FL
World Cup-inspired art exhibit transforms Miami’s Wynwood with interactive soccer experience
The world’s most popular sport is making its mark in Miami this summer — and not just inside the stadium.
As international soccer fans flock to South Florida for the FIFA Club World Cup, the Museum of Graffiti in Wynwood has unveiled “The Art of Futbol,” an interactive exhibition celebrating the connection between street art and the world’s game.
For years, Wynwood’s colorful murals have made the neighborhood one of Miami’s most recognizable cultural destinations. This summer, those artistic roots are being paired with soccer through an exhibit that invites visitors to do more than simply admire the artwork.
“You may not realize it at first, but graffiti and fútbol have a lot in common,” said David Harrah, an art consultant for the Museum of Graffiti. “Football is the sport of the world. It’s played all over the world and on the streets, really. Graffiti has that in its DNA as well. To have those two combined and elevate both makes a lot of sense.”
Harrah said the exhibition was designed to showcase the intersection of art, fashion and sports while creating a welcoming community space for visitors.
Guests can paint on an interactive mirrored wall, play custom foosball tables created by local Miami artists and even kick a soccer ball toward an interactive mural by local artist Tragic.
The exhibit has already attracted visitors from around the globe.
William Chavez, who traveled from Honduras for an Argentina match, said the museum became an unexpected highlight of his trip.
“We came from Honduras only visiting for the World Cup,” Chavez said. “I like the part where you kick the ball. Everything looks very good here. I like the place a lot, and the people are very friendly too.”
The Art of Futbol exhibit will remain on display through July 18, giving soccer fans and art lovers alike another way to experience the excitement surrounding the tournament in Miami.
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