First-round draft picks annually signal a four-year rookie contract, with a workforce possibility for a fifth season. This offseason, after deciding on him within the first spherical in 2020, the Miami Dolphins activated the choice for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, retaining him with the workforce by the 2024 season. The truth that the Dolphins executed the choice – and that they executed it effectively earlier than the deadline to make the transfer – was a serious speaking level of the offseason for the nationwide media. However, it’s the participant that had his possibility picked up final yr that’s getting neglected by many.
Defensive lineman Christian Wilkins is coming into the ultimate yr of his rookie contract after being the workforce’s first-round decide within the 2019 NFL Draft. Miami activated the fifth-year possibility within the offseason forward of the 2022 common season, making 2023 the final yr on Wilkins’ contract, a yr that can pay him a fully-guaranteed $10.8 million, however doesn’t give Wilkins – or the workforce – any sense of longevity. There was discuss that the workforce and Wilkins try to come back to a brand new deal that might preserve him in Miami for years to come back, however nothing has been accomplished but.
“I let my agent deal with all of that. There’s a purpose he’s employed,” Wilkins informed the media this week. He then added, jokingly singling out Sports activities Illustrated Fan Nation Community’s Omar Kelly, “The most important complication with the contract is the Omar Kelly clause. I’m making an attempt to verify I don’t need to reply any of his questions, good to see you again.”
The offseason continues to progress with the workforce now heading into this week’s necessary minicamp, however with none indication {that a} deal between the Dolphins and Wilkins is imminent. Is there a niche that must be closed? “Like I stated, I let my agent deal with all of that,” Wilkins defined. “He has a job to do. He’s among the best within the enterprise so I’m placing it in his palms, controlling what I can management. Popping out right here day by day and main and enjoying ball.”
After this week, Miami will doubtless head right into a quiet interval, the one down-month on the calendar for the NFL. Coaching camp will start someday in late July, although the precise begin date and schedule haven’t been launched but. Groups can have their veterans report two weeks earlier than their first preseason recreation, which for Miami is August 11. That will imply the Dolphins may begin camp someday round July 27, with the rookies eligible to report every week sooner than that. The workforce and Wilkins would doubtless wish to see a contract accomplished earlier than camp begins.
No matter occurs, although, Wilkins continues to be going to be the participant he has been and at all times is. “I’m at all times motivated and motivation comes from inside, not a greenback quantity, nevertheless it’s simply my drive to be the perfect and be my greatest,” he answered when requested if being in a contract yr can be a motivator for him. “No greenback adjustments that, adjustments my mindset. Whether or not one thing will get executed or not my method is at all times the identical.”
Miami may look to attempt to get one thing accomplished this week throughout minicamp, however the extra doubtless scenario can be simply forward of coaching camp. If Wilkins had been to play the season out on his present contract, with Miami planning to franchise tag him for subsequent yr, his cap quantity would doubtless be round $20 million for the 2024 season. In fact, if he’s to leap into the highest eight annual salaries for inside defensive linemen, he would even be leaping into the $20 million per yr vary.
Miami at the moment has about $13 million in wage cap house, giving them room to do one thing with Wilkins. The workforce has additionally been rumored to be fascinated with making an attempt to signal operating again Dalvin Cook dinner ought to he be launched by the Minnesota Vikings, so a few of that cash could also be concentrating on that risk.
Regardless of the case, it appears probably a brand new contract, or some clarification on what Wilkins’ future with Miami will seem like, will occur nearer to coaching camp than something occurring this week.
(Now cue the announcement of a brand new contract in 5…4…3…2…)
