Miami Dolphins offensive weapon says goodbye to franchise

Berrios took to his Instagram late Thursday, saying his goodbyes to the team of his youth. “I hate to see this one end. This year was one I’ll forever be grateful for; I got to come back to the city I call home and play for my childhood team.”

Berrios played his college football for the Miami Hurricanes, becoming one of the most prolific punt returners in the ACC. He led the conference in average punt-return in 2017. He also caught 100 passes for 1,175 yards and 14 scores during his tenure with the Hurricanes. 

“I’m thankful for all my guys I got to share the field with and everybody else in that building that made coming to work every day fun," Berrios continued in his post. "Fins up.”

The Miami product started his career with the New England Patriots as a 2018 sixth-round pick. He played the next four seasons with the New York Jets, earning All-Pro honors in 2021 as a returner.

Dolphins need to replace Berrios next season

Berrios played in 16 games during the current season, catching 27 passes for 238 yards and one touchdown along the way. He also returned 23 punts for 235 yards and 18 kickoffs for 441 yards. The Dolphins will presumably need to replace their third wide receiver and lead returner next season. Fellow wideout Cedrick Wilson Jr. finished 2023 with five fewer catches than Berrios but 58 more receiving yards. He also returned four punts. Wilson remains under contract until the end of next season. 

The Dolphins could theoretically move Jaylen Waddle or Tyreek Hill to the return position, but they have operated almost exclusively as receivers in recent seasons. Waddle returned five punts for 35 yards in 2021 and while Hill led the NFL in most punt return categories during the 2016 season, he has registered just two punt returns during his tenure with the Dolphins. Miami could replace Berrios’ production through the draft or free agency.