According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, a Dolphins source has informed him that LB Philip Wheeler “seemed to become complacent last season after getting a big contract.“
- Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle previously mentioned that he has heard on numerous occasions that Wheeler could be on the chopping block this offseason.
- If Wheeler were to be available, Tafur believes the Raiders would have interest.
While the Dolphins may have concerns about Wheeler and his contract, they don’t have many options available to them right now. He has a cap figure of $6.4 million for the 2014 season, and releasing him now would cost Miami a cap hit of $4.2 million, according to OverTheCap.com. However, designating him as a June 1st release would eliminate that cap hit.
Wheeler, 29, signed a five-year, $26 million contract that included $13 million guaranteed with the Dolphins last season. He produced a career-high 118 tackles to go along with a half sack and a fumble recovery.
As for CB Dimitri Patterson, Barry Jackson mentions that he has the fourth highest salary on the team, which is likely to leave his future with the in question.
This coincides with what Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports mentioned a few weeks ago.
- According to La Canfora, Patterson is “virtually certain not to be back at his $5.4M salary.”
- La Canfora did add that there is at least a chance Patterson could be back at a much lower rate next year.
Patterson, 30, has one year remaining on his three-year, $16.05 million contract and releasing him would free up $5.4 million in cap space for the Dolphins, according to OverTheCap.com.
Chris Clemons
Barry Jackson writes that the Dolphins do have “some interest” in re-signing free agent S Chris Clemons, but they will allow him to test the open market.
Miami recently met with free agent S Louis Delmas, so it appears as though they are prepared to consider all of their options in the coming months.
Clemons’ name has come up as speculative target for the Eagles who happen to be in need of safety help.
Clemons, 28, signed a one-year contract worth $2.75 million with the Dolphins last season, so I’m sure he’ll be looking for a lot more security in his next contract. In 2013, Clemens totaled 92 tackles, one interception and eight passes defensed over the course of 16 games.
Pro Football Focus has Clemens rated as the No. 19 safety in league last season while holding up well in coverage. We have him listed as the No. 51 player in our Top 100 Free Agents list.
Barry Jackson reports that the Dolphins have not approached backup QB Matt Moore regarding a pay cut.
Moore, 29, still has one year remaining on his two-year, $8 million contract and he stands to make $4 million for the 2014 season.
The Dolphins have held Moore in high regard, so it seems likely that they will keep him at that salary.
Jackson notes that new Dolphins’ GM Dennis Hickey was part of the Buccaneers organization last year when they made an attempt to Moore.
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