MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – If you’re a fan of retaining homegrown talent, this might not be the offseason for you.
Free agent defensive tackle and fan favorite Christian Wilkins is signing a four-year, $110 million base value deal that includes $84.75 million guaranteed with the Las Vegas Raiders, ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirmed on Monday.
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Wilkins, a first-round pick in 2019, started 77 games during his first five seasons and had a career year with 9 sacks in 2023.
Wilkins isn’t the only Dolphins player the team will lose on defense.
Schefter also reported that linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel will be reunited with his former head coach, now defensive coordinator Brian Flores after signing a two-year, $20 million deal with $14 million guaranteed with the Minnesota Vikings.
2023 was the most prolific year of Van Ginkel’s after the 28-year-old appeared in all 17 games and set career-highs in sacks (6) and passes defended (8), along with a pick-six against the Washington Commanders in Week 13.
The Dolphins also said their goodbyes to safety Brandon Jones and offensive guard Robert Hunt.
Jones, 25, was drafted by the Dolphins as a third-round pick in 2020 and just completed his rookie contract with the franchise.
He appeared in 16 games with six starts for Miami in 2023, recording 48 total tackles, four passes defensed and two forced fumbles.
Hunt, 27 who spent the first four seasons of his career with the Miami has signed a five-year, $100 million deal with the Carolina Panthers, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
A lot of Miami’s cap situation has focused on the anticipated re-signing of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who could make as much as $50 million per season in his new deal. The Dolphins continue to take a slow approach and are now rebuilding their defense under new coordinator Anthony Weaver.
The Dolphins have also released Keion Crossen, Xavien Howard, Emmanuel Ogbah and Jerome Baker.
New addition
Schefter also announced Monday evening that Miami has signed former Cleveland Browns linebacker Anthony Walker to a 1-year deal.
Walker had 44 tackles in 12 games over the last two seasons but has battled injuries during that time.