Free agency tracker: Ryan Fitzpatrick leaves, Dolphins add tight end, sign linebacker
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2021 NFL Free agency preview
Free agency begins March 17. Who are the best players available? And will the Dolphins make a play for them? We explore in this series of player profiles ahead of the league new year.
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UPDATE (11 p.m.): The Dolphins are now officially in the market for a new backup quarterback after Ryan Fitzpatrick agreed to terms with Washington on Monday night.
According to ESPN, Fitzpatrick agreed to a one-year, $10 million deal that could be worth as much as $12 million with incentives. ESPN’s Adam Schefter said Fitzpatrick is expected to enter training camp as the starter, with Taylor Heinicke competing.
The Dolphins didn’t expect to re-sign Fitzpatrick, in part because they knew he wanted an opportunity to start and in part because they didn’t want Tua Tagovailoa looking over his shoulder.
Among the Dolphins’ backup quarterback options in the free agent market: Tyrod Taylor (their target before signing Fitzpatrick in 2019), Brian Hoyer, Jacoby Brissett, Andy Dalton, AJ McCarron, Colt McCoy, Alex Smith, Matt Barkley, Blaine Gabbert, CJ Beathard, Nick Mullens, Blake Bortles and Mike Glennon. Chicago’s Mitch Trubisky is also a free agent, but he hopes to remain a starter.
Fitzpatrick threw 33 touchdowns and 21 interceptions in 24 games for Miami, including 20 starts, and threw for 5620 yards with an 89 passer rating.
He was emotional after he lost his starting job to Tagovailoa after six games this past season but came off the bench when Tagovailoa struggled in two subsequent games: a loss to Denver and a Fitzpatrick-led comeback win in Las Vegas. He also filled in for the injured Tagovailoa in a 20-3 win at the Jets in late November.
According to Overthecap’s Nick Korte, the Dolphins are positioned to get a fifth-round compensatory pick in the 2022 draft as a result of losing Fitzpatrick.
UPDATE (8:50 p.m.): The Dolphins struck their first deal with another team’s free agent on Monday night, agreeing to a three-year deal with fullback/tight end Cethan Carter.
A skilled blocker, Carter fills the role vacated when the Dolphins released Chandler Cox. He also can serve as the team’s No. 4 tight end or compete with Adam Shaheen for the No. 3 job. And he will fill a key role on special teams if he sticks.
Carter got a three-year deal worth $8.25 million, and as much as $8.7 million with incentives. That includes $2.7 million guaranteed.
He had five catches for 53 yards last season in 15 games, including five starts.
He has played in 46 games over three seasons for the Bengals, including a key role on special teams, and has seven career catches for 66 yards and a touchdown.
He played 63, 68 and 69 percent of the Bengals’ special teams snaps the past three seasons.
He signed with Cincinnati in 2017 after going undrafted.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins remain in the mix for a top free agent receiver. They’ve pursued Lions receiver Kenny Golladay and had contact with the representation for Lions receiver Marvin Jones. Ju-Ju Smith Schuster and Curtis Samuel also remain possibilities.
UPDATE (7:50 p.m.): The New York Jets have finally joined free agency race — with a particularly impactful signing.
They are locking up wide receiver Corey Davis to a three-year, $37.5 million deal with $27 million guaranteed, Adam Schefter reported.
The Jets were also in on Kenny Golladay. If they’re not longer pursuing the Lions wideout, it could clear the way for the Dolphins to sign him.
UPDATE (6:51 p.m.): Has the run on wide receivers finally begun? Perhaps the Patriots have broken the logjam by locking up Nelson Agholor, which caps a monster day for the Patriots.
Agholor wasn’t at the top of the market — Kenny Golladay and the rest of the best are still available — but his deal could signal that receivers now understand that money is simply not as plentiful as they originally had hoped.
ESPN reports that Agholor’s deal is for two years and up to $26 million.
The Patriots later added receiver Kendrick Bourne, who agreed reportedly to a three-year, $22.5 million deal.
UPDATE (6 p.m.): The Dolphins are nearing a one-year deal for outside linebacker Vince Biegel to return in 2021, a source confirmed.
Acquired in exchange for Kiko Alonso during Labor Day weekend in 2019, Biegel impressed the team that season, producing 59 tackles, 2.5 sacks and an interception in 15 games, including 10 starts.
He missed last season with a torn Achilles’ injury sustained in an Aug. 18 practice.
After ESPN reported earlier this offseason that Houston quarterback Deshaun Watson had interest in the Dolphins, Biegel tweeted a photoshopped image of Watson in a Dolphins uniform, accompanied by a GIF of Jack Nicholson nodding in approval. Biegel deleted the tweet soon after, but as we noted here last month, he wasn’t admonished by the team and the Dolphins didn’t hold it against him.
Biegel’s expected return was reported by The Athletic and a source said it will be finalized in the next few days.
He joins Andrew Van Ginkel as outside linebackers on the roster. More will be added.
UPDATE (5:50 p.m.): Another edge rusher off the board.
And Yannick Ngakoue will be on his fourth team in a calendar year.
NFL Network reports the Oakland Raiders are closing in on a deal with Ngakoue, who had eight sacks with the Vikings and Ravens last year after forcing his way out of Jacksonville. The terms: two years, $26 million.
UPDATE (4:45 p.m.): The Dolphins are not looking to spend a ton of money, particularly on the offensive line.
Corey Linsley wanted a contract that makes him one of the highest-paid centers in the league.
No surprise, then, that Linsley will not be a Miami Dolphin. He’s signing a big-money deal with the Chargers, NFL Network reported.
UPDATE (4:30 p.m.): Unlike last year, when Miami had an agreement with Ereck Flowers and Shaq Lawson in the first three hours of free agency, there were no fireworks at the start of 2021 free agency for the Dolphins.
Though they’ve poked around on some of the pricey players in this class — including receivers Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones — they’ve also conveyed to agents that they’re looking for value signings.
And nothing had materialized as of 4:30 p.m. on Monday.
The Dolphins reached out to multiple players at need positions, including running backs, receivers and edge players, and expressed preliminary interest. But it’s unclear how quickly the market for those players will develop.
The Dolphins — through either draft or free agency — must add at least three defensive ends/outside linebackers, a backup quarterback (Tyrod Taylor makes a lot of sense), a backup safety with special teams value, two receivers, a running back and one or two backup inside linebackers.
But with cap space limited around the league, the Dolphins might be smart to wait and see what players fall through the cracks.
Miami had $33 million in cap space, but $14 million must be saved for the draft and a practice squad, and the Dolphins like to keep some money in reserve. So the Dolphins don’t have the resources to go on a spending spree unless they make additional cuts or restructure some contracts.
It’s unclear whether a desire to preserve flexibility for the cap consequences of a Deshaun Watson trade is factoring into this. But the Dolphins have told people they expect to be in the mix for Watson if the Texans make him available.
UPDATE (4:20 p.m.): After a couple of sleepy hours, a bombshell:
The Kansas City Chiefs, just days after parting ways with both of their starting tackles, landed the biggest offensive lineman in free agency.
Ex-Patriots guard Joe Thuney has agreed to big-time contract with the Chiefs, Thuney’s agent Mike McCartney wrote on Twitter.
The details: five years, $80 million.
The move was well-received by a very important member of the Kansas City organization: Patrick Mahomes, who’s probably the best player in the world.
Mahomes’ reaction to the news? Three smiley face emojis.
UPDATE (3:52 p.m.): While the Packers’ RB1 is no longer available, their RB2 is letting everyone know he’s open for business.
Jamaal Williams, who has rushed for at least 400 yards and caught at least 25 passes in all four of his NFL seasons, could be a good fit for the running back-needy Dolphins.
If there was any doubt that his days in Green Bay were over after the Packers signed Aaron Jones to mega deal, his Instagram post Monday removed it:
“Thank you Green Bay for accepting me and letting me grow into the Man I am today and still thriving to be. I have nothing but RESPECT and LOVE for everyone who works in the Packers facility from Players, Coaches,all the employees that work in Lambeau, and the fans!! I’m going to miss It all, cherish all my memories, and keep striving for Greatness. I’m looking forward to what’s ahead and excited to grind for what I want but nothing but love GB it’s been real ”
UPDATE (3:05 p.m.): How did Bill Belichick respond to his first losing season since 2000?
By being the biggest spender in the opening hours of free agency.
Another big name is heading to New England: ex-Ravens pass rusher Matt Judon, who NFL Network reports has agreed to a four-year, $56 million contract.
Judon was one of the top edge defenders on the market despite averaging fewer than seven sacks in his first five seasons.
The move leaves the Dolphins, who need pass rush help, with one fewer option at that position.
(Before we could even hit publish on this update, Belichick did it again, locking up defensive back Jalen Mills to a four-year, $24 million deal. Wow.)
UPDATE (2:35 p.m.): Another solid front seven piece is on the move. Kamu Grugier-Hill will be one and done in Miami, agreeing to a one-year deal with the Texans that will pay him $3.25 million, according to NFL Network.
Grugier-Hill, a versatile linebacker and dependable special teamer, appeared in 15 games in his lone season with the Dolphins, starting one. He had 28 tackles, including one for loss.
UPDATE (1:10 p.m.): Davon Godchaux, who started 42 games for Miami in four seasons, is moving onto New England. He agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal with the Patriots that includes $9 million fully guaranteed, per agent Drew Rosenhaus.
Raekwon Davis replaced Godchaux after Godchaux’s season-ending biceps injury in game 5, and the Dolphins weren’t willing to pay Godchaux a starting-caliber salary moving forward.
Godchaux finished his Dolphins career with 179 tackles and three sacks in 52 games for Miami, which selected him in the fifth round out of LSU in 2017.
UPDATE (1:07 p.m.): Mixed emotions in Westchester?
FIU’s Jonnu Smith got paid.
That’s great.
But the team paying him? The New England Patriots.
So FIU/Dolphins fans might be a bit conflicted when they see Smith catching touchdowns this fall.
Adam Schefter reports the deal is for four years, $50 million.
Still waiting for his new deal? Fellow Panther T.Y. Hilton, whose contract with the Colts expires Wednesday.
UPDATE (12:30 p.m.): The Dolphins won’t tender receiver Isaiah Ford, as NFL Net reported. Miami wants to add at least two receivers this offseason. It also would be a surprise if the Dolphins tender reserve offensive lineman Adam Pankey. The deadline to tender restricted free agents is 3 p.m. Wednesday.
UPDATE (12:21 p.m.): Shaq Barrett always seemed destined to remain in Tampa Bay, and that ended up being the case.
ESPN’s Josina Anderson reported shortly after noon that Barrett is signing a new deal with the Buccaneers, a decision that thins the pass-rusher market — one the Dolphins will most certainly be part of. Adam Schefter reports the deal is for four years and worth upwards of $72 million.
Another name staying put: Lions edge defender Romeo Okwara, who is re-signing with the Lions, according to NFL Network.
Bud Dupree, Haason Reddick and Trey Hendrickson are among the best still available.
UPDATE (12:10 p.m): The Dolphins have shown interest in the Detroit Lions’ two coveted receivers: Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones.
Golladay will be particularly pricey, and a friend of his believed the Jets might end up making the biggest bid. but that the Dolphins are very much in play That friend said he would make the Jets the slght favorite over the Dolphins, with Miami having a real chance.
Miami also has inquired about Jones, but the Patriots - to this point - have been more aggressive. The idea of playing for the Dolphins interest Jones, according to a source.
Golladay had 65 catches for 1190 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2019 but was limited to five games last season due to injury.
Jones had 76 catches for 978 yards and nine touchdowns last season.
Will Fuller, Ju-Ju Smith Schuster, Curtis Samuel and Nelson Agholor are among the other top receivers available.
Miami is expected to sign one or two receivers this week.
UPDATE (11:17 a.m.): It’s becoming increasingly clear the Dolphins want to sign a veteran center.
And while Green Bay’s Corey Linsley seems beyond their price range based on what he’s hoping to get in free agency, other candidates are rising in possibility.
The most likely possibilities: David Andrews of the New England Patriots and Matt Skura of the Baltimore Ravens.
The Dolphins have no closed the door on Ted Karras returning but they’re going to seek an upgrade first. If no upgrade at the right price can be found, the team would circle back to Karras. Brian Flores has repeatedly told Karras he wants him back but the team hadn’t made an offer as of this weekend.
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NFL free agency officially begins Wednesday at 4 p.m., but beginning Monday, teams are allowed to begin negotiating contracts with agents of players from other clubs.
The Miami Dolphins enter the new league year with approximately $33 million in cap space, according to Spotrac.com.
That figure includes the salaries of linebacker Benardrick McKinney and offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson, who will be acquired via trade once deals can become official Wednesday, and the dead money charges from the contracts of Kyle Van Noy and Shaq Lawson, who are both gone from the organization.
That number does not include, however, the contract of punter Michael Palardy, who joined the team on a one-year deal last week.
The Dolphins’ biggest needs: wide receiver, running back and pass rusher. They also need to sign a center, have questions at safety and only have two quarterbacks currently under contract past Wednesday: Tua Tagovailoa and Reid Sinnett.
The Dolphins also have 15 pending free agents, most notably quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, who will test free agency. Finally, they have seven draft picks (none of which are compensatory), including the No. 3 overall and four in the top 50.
Will they break the bank? Or will they have, as coach Brian Flores suggested last week, a more modest approach?
Check back throughout the day as we update all the signings, trades and cuts that will affect the Dolphins as they try to build their first championship team since 1973.
This story was originally published March 15, 2021 at 8:03 AM with the headline "Free agency tracker: Ryan Fitzpatrick leaves, Dolphins add tight end, sign linebacker."
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