The Miami Dolphins badly underperformed this season.
After handing Ndamukong Suh a contract featuring $60 million in guarantees (two years after doling out $69.5 million guaranteed to three players in free agency), extending quarterback Ryan Tannehill for six years and $96 million, trading for New Orleans Saints receiver Kenny Stills and drafting Louisville WR DeVante Parker in the first-round, many thought the Dolphins were ready to compete for a playoff spot. Instead, the team tanked, going 6-10 and regressing from the head coach on down.
Now, after years of reckless spending, the Dolphins may not be able to re-sign the one bright spot from this past season: defensive end Olivier Vernon.
"Vernon was extremely impressive this season chasing a big contract," ESPN's Sam Monson wrote. "He notched 81 total pressures, up from 48 the season before, and hit the quarterback 30 times, not counting the 7.5 sacks he notched as well. Vernon was one of the most formidable pass-rushers in the league, reveling in the role as the top guy in Miami once Cameron Wake went down with an injury. This marks two seasons of steady improvement from Vernon, who has earned a big contract as one of the league's best pass-rushers."
The Dolphins have $156 million committed to 41 players in 2016, according to the Sun Sentinel. The NFL's salary cap is expected to settle around $155 million next season, which means purging the roster if Miami has any hope of re-signing key free agents. Will they be able to clear enough space to fit Vernon?
Let's take a look at Seattle Seahawks DE Michael Bennett as a comparison. The Seahawks signed Bennett to a four-year deal worth $28.5 million in 2014 (and $10 million fully guaranteed), an amount Bennett quickly came to grumble about. However, Bennett was 29 when he signed his deal while Vernon is just 25. As a free agent squarely in the midst of his prime, Vernon will likely seek what teammate Cameron Wake got: five-years, $33.2 million ($17 million fully guaranteed), the seventh-highest contract for a 4-3 DE in the NFL, according to OverTheCap.com.
That amount may prove too rich for the Dolphins to afford given their clogged cap sheet.
