It is done. The Miami Dolphins’ long, public standoff with veteran safety Reshad Jones has finally come to a head, with news breaking this afternoon that the Dolphins have released their long-time presence on the back end. Jones, who was tied to trade rumors throughout the entire 2019 offseason, played in just 4 games and a total of 190 snaps this past season — which will mark an unceremonious ending to an accomplished career in South Florida.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the news just before noon of the move, which will not officially take place until March 18th when the NFL’s league calendar opens for business.
Dolphins are releasing two-time Pro Bowl safety Reshad Jones, per source. The move will become official March 18. His release will free up $5.3 million against the Dolphins’ salary cap.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2020
Jones, who was named to two Pro Bowls during his decade in Miami (and was snubbed from two others), will go down as one of the team’s best defenders of the past decade — consistently flashing late in games to make big plays on his way to 21 career interceptions, 10.5 sacks and 776 total tackles with the team.
Safety was already considered a need for Miami and the team’s needs will not change all that much this offseason — that much was assumed after Jones missed three quarters of the season.
Miami’s decision will still keep Jones on the books for the 2020 season — even though the team will save $5.3M in salary cap, the Dolphins will still see in excess of $10.1M in dead cap on their 2020 books. May that serve as a damning testament to Miami’s old philosophies in team building — the Dolphins restructured Jones’ contract in 2018, making him virtually immovable during the 2019 offseason and sinking any value he may have had after the 2019 season.
Lessons learned. But for now, a tip of the cap to Jones for a decade of blood, sweat and tears in the aqua and orange.
[jwplayer OqKEvpjS-ThvAeFxT]