Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell made it clear last week that they have no intention of signing LT Branden Albert to a new contract and expect him to report to the team for mandatory workouts in shape.
“We have his rights, and we expect him to show up when he has to,” Caldwell said, via Michael DiRocco of ESPN. “This is all voluntary, so it’s his decision to not be here. He’s got that right to do that. As long as he comes in shape when it’s mandatory and comes in and does the things he’s supposed to do, we’ll welcome him with open arms.”
Caldwell admitted that they need to cover their bases when asked about their decision to trade up for Alabama OT Cam Robinson in round two.
“We’ve got to make sure we have our bases covered,” Caldwell said.
Jacksonville agreed to send a 2018 seventh-round pick to the Dolphins in return for Albert and the two teams also completed a separate trade for TE Julius Thomas soon after.
The two parties were expected to work on a new contract after completing a trade, but that no longer appears to be the case.
This is one of the issues that comes with trading for a player. One you give up compensation in a deal, leverage shifts to the player in regards to contract talks, as they know how the team values them.
Albert, 32, is a former first-round pick of the Chiefs back in 2008. He spent six years in Kansas City before signing a five-year, $46 million contract with $25 million guaranteed with the Dolphins back in 2014.
Albert currently has two years remaining on his contract and stands to make base salaries of $8.875 million and $9.575 million during this time.
In 2016, Albert appeared in 12 games and was rated by Pro Football Focus as the No. 65 offensive tackle out of 78 qualifying players.
We’ll have more regarding Albert and the Jaguars as the news is available.
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