As the Dolphins embark on their most pivotal offseason in a generation GM Chris Grier is the main protagonist in an intriguing story that has many twists and turns.
While always ready to big-up the Dolphins best players, Grier is loathe to actually pay them. Sometimes he’s been right, but most of the time he’s just looked cheap. While he’s been happy throwing money around in free agency for other teams players, or trading for players and throwing money at those players, Miami’s own don’t fare so well.
Dolphins need to get this right
This offseason Miami has already lost key contributors in Wilkins, Baker, Howard, Hunt, and Jones. While the contracts for some have been very high, paying the likes of Wilkins, Hunt and Jones would undoubtedly have made the roster stronger than it is now.
Safety Jevon Holland enters the 2024 season in the final year of his rookie deal. “He’s an important piece and we will be talking with him in the future” about a multiyear contract, Grier said of Holland. “Excited for him to get healthy and have a good year.”
“Talking with him in the future” ?? This is a deal that could’ve already been done. Same with Wilkins, same with Hunt, same with Jones, same with Gesicki before them all, same will several others.
Only Grier never gets those deals done does he.
Tua Tagovailoa had a great season for the Dolphins in 2023, increasing his value markedly. Luckily Grier didn’t do the extension last offseason. Preferring to let the other QB’s get their deals that pushed the value of Tua up, and letting Tua do the job on the field to push it even higher.
“When it happens, it happens,” Grier said. “We’ve had communications. It’s been good. We’ll keep working towards it. His agent is understanding it’s now the draft and we’ll focus on that and turn attention to that after the draft.”
And of course, there’s also Jaylen Waddle and Jaelen Phillips. Both look set to have their fifth year options picked up, but neither, it seems will get an extension this offseason. Because why bother? Why not let the market take the prices higher before we start?
DeVonta Smith, Waddle’s fellow Alabama WR selected after him in the draft has secured his contract extension at $15/m per year from the Eagles, pumping that market value higher.
And make no mistake, these players are highly prized by other teams. They won’t be staying on the cheap, and nor should they. It’s a dangerous, and short, career in the NFL.
The Dolphins cap predicament, Grier’s making by the way, isn’t getting better any time soon, so creativity will definitely be required. And also, not leaving it until the last minute as salaries keep rising might also be a smart idea.
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