AFC East Notes: Dolphins, Patriots, Tom Brady

Dolphins

Dolphins HC Brian Flores said QB Josh Rosen will see time with the first-team offense during their scrimmages against the Buccaneers this week, but there is still plenty for him to work on. 

“We’ll have an opportunity to play (Rosen) whenever we want to,” Flores said, via Josh Schad of the Palm Beach Post. “I think there may be an opportunity where he plays with some of those guys who we call first-teamers. Again, Josh, he’s got to take care of the things he can control and do a good job with the reps he has.”

As for the Dolphins’ quarterback competition between Rosen and Ryan Fitzpatrick, Flores said it will be the staff’s decision on who moves “up or down” on the depth chart. 

“As a staff, we’ll have make that decision when we feel like anyone is ready to move up or down,” Flores said. “That’ll be our decision as a staff and we’ll do what we feel is best for the Miami Dolphins.”

Tom Brady

Nick Underhill of The Athletic has the full breakdown of Tom Brady’s new contract with the Patriots. 

• According to Underhill, Brady receives a $1.75 million fully guaranteed base salary in 2019 to go along with $6.75 million signing bonus that’s prorated.
• The contract includes renegotiated signing bonuses of $7 million and $5 million along with $62.5K per game in active roster bonuses. 
• Brady will carry a cap figure of $21.5 million for the 2019 season. 
• The 2020 and 2021 years automatically void on the last day of 2019 league year.
• Should Brady’s contract void next year, Underhill explains that the $6.75 million cap hits for his signing bonus over the next two years would accelerate onto the 2020 cap and leave a dead-money hit of $13.5 million. Brady’s cap figures are $36.75 million and $38.75 million next two years.
• The Patriots are not able to franchise or transition tag Brady.

Patriots

Patriots’ veteran LB Jamie Collins said he is “trying to change” as a person now that he’s in his second stint with New England. 

“I’m trying to change — in general and as a man,” said Collins, via Mike Reiss of ESPN. 

Collins said he felt honored by Patriots HC Bill Belichick praising him earlier this offseason. 

“From him, that’s music to my ears,” Collins said. “It’s an honor to hear that type of response from him. I really do appreciate it. It makes me feel even better, and makes me want to come to work even more.”

Patriots’ team captain Matthew Slater believes Collins gained a “bit of perspective” in his three years with the Browns. 

“It’s good to have Jamie back. Sometimes when guys leave here, they gain a little bit of perspective. Life happens. A lot of good things have happened in Jamie’s personal life off the field,” said Slater.