Dolphins’ Defensive Change Could Lead To Cameron Wake Earning Up To $5M More

Jason La Canfora writes that Dolphins DE Cameron Wake could up being the biggest beneficiary of the team’s changes to their defensive scheme after they fired DC Kevin Coyle a few weeks ago.

According to La Canfora, the team’s defensive players felt “handcuffed” by the complexities of Coyle’s scheme, and frustration was evident in the Dolphins’ locker room.

La Canfora mentions that Wake and DT Ndamukong Suh led the charge for change to a simplified approach that appeared to be pay dividends last week, as they totaled six sacks and two interceptions.

Getting back to Wake, La Canfora points out that Wake has some “significant escalators” tied to his sack production this season. In fact, if Wake records 10-12 sacks he would earn $750,000 more in base salary next year. Beyond that, Wake would receive $1.75 million for 13-14 sacks and $3 million for 15 sacks.

Should Wake end up leading the NFL in total sacks, he would receive $5 million in additional base salary.

Wake, 33, is in the fourth year of his five-year, $34.53 million contract that included $17 million guaranteed. He’ll make a base salary of $8.2 million this season and another $8.275 million next year.

This season, Wake has appeared in five games and recorded five tackles, four sacks, and two forced fumbles for the Dolphins. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 9 defensive end in a 4-3 defense out of 45 qualifying players.