Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Clowney doesn’t want to be in Miami, but Tunsil just might
The rampant trade talks surrounding Jadeveon Clowney, Laremy Tunsil and the Miami Dolphins this week could come to an abrupt end unless one of the players involved has a drastic change of heart.
According to a Friday report from the Houston Chronicle, Clowney is refusing to sign his $15.9 million franchise tender with the Houston Texans. That will likely facilitate the need for a trade, but he does not want to come to the Dolphins regardless of trade discussions between the teams.
Clowney, who is seeking a new long-term contract, does not want to be a part of coach Brian Flores’ new team and the Dolphins’ extensive rebuilding process despite meeting with Flores and members of the organization this preseason with hopes of facilitating a deal.
Since Clowney reiterated he doesn’t want to play in Miami and prefers a playoff team such as the Philadelphia Eagles or Seattle Seahawks, at it’s reported he won’t sign his tender. That could indicate the Dolphins and Texans had a deal worked out.
But Clowney, by not signing his tender, is essentially voiding the possibility of a deal.
The Dolphins continue to make final roster cuts before Saturday’s 4 p.m. deadline and engage in trade talks regarding other players such as linebacker Kiko Alonso. On Friday the team acquired offensive linemen to shore up the team’s weakest position group, but the Dolphins must also begin to repair any damage in their relationship with Tunsil that might have been caused this week.
That repair could come in the form of a potential contract extension for Tunsil, who already expressed an interest before training camp to remain with one NFL organization for his entire career, as a sign of goodwill similar to new deals cornerback Xavien Howard and receiver Jakeem Grant signed with the team this summer.
Tunsil prefers a longterm deal that could make him one of the highest-paid players at his position, which would require a salary in the $15 million to $16 million range annually.
He is scheduled to earn $2.15 million this season, and roughly $10.4 million in 2020 since the Dolphins picked up the fifth-year option of his rookie contract — slowing Miami’s urgency to get a new deal done because he is under a favorable contract.
The Dolphins could even issue Tunsil a franchise tag in 2021 to delay a lucrative, long-term deal, similar to the Clowney-Texans ordeal.
The Texans covet Tunsil, just as the Dolphins do, because he could be the elusive missing piece on their offensive line needs to protect star quarterback Deshaun Watson and set the franchise up for continued success on offense as long as both players are healthy.
While the Dolphins do not want to trade away Tunsil, their potential Pro Bowl pick and general manager Chris Grier’s best draft pick to date, it did not stop Miami from hearing out potential trade offers.
If the Dolphins were going to trade away Tunsil, it would have to be an offer viewed to be simply too good to be refused.
Tunsil wanted to talk with reporters after the Dolphins preseason finale Thursday night in New Orleans, but the team advised him to decline comment.
Flores did not flat out deny Tunsil is being shopped around in a trade or whether Tunsil will remain with the team for the foreseeable future.
“There’s no trade in place for him,” Flores said regarding Tunsil when asked about the rumors.
The Dolphins begin the season hosting the Baltimore Ravens at Hard Rock Stadium on Sept. 8.