INDIANAPOLIS — The deadline for NFL groups to make use of the franchise tag or transfer on upcoming unrestricted free brokers is now lower than every week away, and that continues to be an possibility for the Miami Dolphins with defensive deal with Christian Wilkins.
However that's only one possibility, basic supervisor Chris Grier mentioned Wednesday, though the purpose stays what it all the time has been, preserving Wilkins in a Dolphins uniform.
The tag deadline is Tuesday, March 5, however Grier will meet with Wilkins' agent, David Mulugheta, on the scouting mix this week to see if the 2 sides can come to an settlement, one thing they couldn't do earlier than Wilkins final summer time. he ultimately performed with a fifth-year possibility.
Whereas each Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel mentioned Wilkins has “earned the fitting” to be a free agent, that doesn't imply the tag possibility is off the desk.
“I believe we’ve each possibility on the desk,” Grier mentioned. “Dave and I’ve all the time had good conversations, however I'm simply very clear about it. I imply, he's earned it. He's had a terrific season. So we'll see what occurs right here once we discuss the following couple of weeks.”
WILKINS ESSENTIAL PIECE FOR DOLPHINS
Wilkins is a key piece for the Dolphins, a tone-setter on protection and a pacesetter, and was additionally the crew's first alternative after they started their huge rebuilding mission in 2019.
He's confirmed to be a top-notch defensive deal with through the years and added a pass-rushing component to his recreation final season, producing a career-high 9 sacks.
If the Dolphins determine to position the franchise tag on Wilkins, it can price them $22.1 million and that quantity will instantly go to their cap.
Wilkins' market worth was positioned at $20.2 million per 12 months, based on spotrac.
“We had conversations and we had been near a deal final season and it didn't come collectively,” Grier mentioned. “And so for us, we all know what Christian is, the kind of individual, the participant, what he brings to the group. So for us, in the end, it wasn't what he needed to do, it was how we talked and attempt to construct a crew and put a roster collectively to they tried to work collectively to seek out one thing that was honest for him and for us.
“On the finish of the day, we gave it a attempt to the agent acknowledges that it was a particularly reasonable supply and he felt good about it, so we'll see the place it takes us this offseason.”
