Dolphins GM Chris Grier on committing long-term to Tua, Byron Jones and more
Dolphins general manager Chris Grier said quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s durability isn’t much of a concern as the team mulls a long-term commitment to him.
“I can’t lie and say no,” Grier told local reporters Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. “But it’s not something that’s going to make us wait to do something long-term. The one thing is he’s been banged up but he always comes back and bounces back and plays hard and performs. We’re excited for his future. We’re excited for watching him doing all the work he’s been doing in the offseason right now to prepare for 2023. He’s very excited to get back on the field this year.”
The Dolphins have committed to Tagovailoa as their starting quarterback in 2023, even after a pair of diagnosed concussions that sidelined him for five games, and now have a May 2 deadline to exercise his fifth-year option. This would extend Tagovailoa’s contract through the 2024 season and fully guarantee his base salary of about $23 million. Head coach Mike McDaniel on Tuesday said the organization continues to discuss its options and weigh all factors regarding Tagovailoa, who threw a career-high 25 touchdowns in 2022.
Grier echoed those comments Wednesday, reiterating that all options regarding Tagovailoa’s contract are being considered, including an extension.
While a long-term extension this offseason likely wouldn’t free much-needed cap room for the Dolphins in 2023, it would avoid a potential situation for the organization in which it has to use the franchise tag on Tagovailoa next offseason, tying him to the team on a bloated one-year contract. According to Over the Cap, the projected value of the nonexclusive franchise tag, which would allow teams to sign a player by giving up two first-round picks, is about $42 million. The exclusive franchise tag, which prohibits other teams from engaging in negotiations, would be an even greater amount.
“All expectation is he’s our quarterback and he’s our quarterback here to be successful for a long time,” Grier said.
Grier noncommittal on Jones in ‘23
Grier was noncommital on whether Byron Jones will be on the team in 2023 after a pair of tweets last Saturday in which the veteran cornerback said he “can’t run or jump because of injuries in the NFL and voiced warning about taking pills or injections from medical staff.
“He’s under contract with us right now,” Grier said. “[Defensive coordinator] Vic [Fangio] is back in Florida kind of looking over the team. Obviously, he’s going to have some say in this with his scheme and what we’re doing and we’ll also talk with Byron, too. A lot of moving parts right now.”
Jones missed the entirety of the 2022 season after undergoing surgery on his leg last March. At the team’s end-of-season news conference in January, Grier said Jones “did everything he could to try and play so no qualms with that at all.” On Wednesday, he said there has been “great communication” between Jones, his agent and the team’s training staff.
A league source told the Miami Herald that Jones is not retiring and is not planning any lawsuit over the handling of his rehab. The Dolphins can save about $13.6 million by releasing Jones with a post-June 1 designation.
“You have to look at every option,” Grier said when asked if he’s expecting Jones to play in 2023. “You always have to look at all different scenarios and try to plan for best-case and worst-case scenarios. Right now, we’re not making any assumptions on anything and just letting him continue to attack his rehab and see what happens.”
This and that
▪ Asked about a potential extension with defensive lineman Christian Wilkins, Grier said he won’t divulge conversations with his agent but, “We would like to have him here for a long time.”
▪ Grier said the team is “very open” to re-signing veteran running backs Raheem Mostert and Jeff Willson Jr., who are both impending unrestricted free agents.
“Very open to those guys coming back,” Grier said. “We’ve talked about that scenario where they may be back, we may have the same backfield back next year. … We’d be very excited to have them back.”
▪ Grier said the team will look to add depth at both the inside linebacker and safety positions in free agency.
▪ Asked whether the team is open to moving Robert Hunt to offensive tackle, Grier praised his versatility but said: “He has the potential to be a special player at guard.”
▪ Regarding tight end Mike Gesicki, a pending unrestricted free agent, staying with the team, Grier said: “I’m sure he’ll have some suitors and we always say, “never say never’ on anything. But he’s earned the right and I’m sure he’s excited to see what his free agency options are.”
This story was originally published March 1, 2023 at 12:37 PM.
