Miami Dolphins linebacker Raekwon McMillan is entering into a big year in 2020. The fourth year linebacker is in a contract year — his last chance to prove to the Miami Dolphins that he’s worth a pricy long-term commitment to keep him as a fixture of the defense for the long-haul. And, if we get to the end of this season and McMillan has convinced the Dolphins to make that commitment, he’s going to have earned every cent of whatever deal he signs.
Because, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, McMillan is going to have to earn his starting role for the second consecutive season. Last year McMillan had to stave off former CFL talent Sam Eguavoen. And, for at least a fair bit of training camp, it looked like Eguavoen may wrestle the gig away. This year’s contender to McMillan’s starting role is free agent signing Kamu Grugier-Hill, who signed with Miami after four years in Philadelphia.
“One thing I’ve been told is not to overlook Kamu Grugier-Hill in the battle with Raekwon McMillan for a starting inside linebacker job,” wrote Jackson.
“Grugier-Hill, who started a combined 16 games for Philadelphia during the past two seasons, might be the fastest and best coverage linebacker on the team.”
Grugier-Hill has a safety at Eastern Washington before entering the NFL and was credited with a 4.45s 40-yard dash and a 38.5″ vertical leap — so his athleticism and coverage upside is certainly understandable amid his conversion to linebacker. But for McMillan, Grugier-Hill represents a new challenge that will pit him against a completely different style of player. If McMillan is ultimately phased into more of a rotational role in the end, it may speak more to the style of defense Brian Flores wishes to play.
But that end result will likely put the Dolphins into a challenging spot with McMillan — either play hardball with his negotiations due to the specificity of his role, or let him walk because he’s not viewed as a preferred long-term option.
The good news? It’s ultimately in McMillan’s hands. If he executes this summer and fall, he should once again come out victorious in the fight for the starting ILB gig. But to hear he’s even in this position once more raises more than a few questions about the long-term outcome.