Looks like the Miami Dolphins won't need to cut left tackle Branden Albert from the team as the Jacksonville Jaguars is trading for Albert while giving up tight end Julius Thomas. The two players, though, would need to restructure their contracts for the deal to push through.
According to a report from Omar Kelly of the Sun-Sentinel, NFL sources told them about the potential deal, but it can't be finalized until March 9, 2017, when the new league year starts. Albert and Thomas would also need to pass physicals, aside from restructuring their current deals, for the trade to push through.
Kelly adds that multiple sources are saying that all parties involved, though, are willing to push through with the deal. Albert himself said that he has no problem with the deal.
"I honestly believe where I'm going to go is the right fit," he said. "It is going to be a surprise when [the terms] comes out."
Kelly also said that the Dolphins would have cleared $7.2 million in their salary cap had they released Albert, who's contract runs through 2018. But the Jaguars notified Miami of their interest in the 32-year-old left tackle.
Thomas will be a cheaper return for the Dolphins, with only $3 million of his $7.1 million salary for the 2017 season guaranteed, Kelly said. The tight end, though, is set to make $8.6 million in 2018 and $9 million in 2019, which Miami would likely want to be restructured and will likely pattern it to what they offered cornerback Byron Maxwell.
Adding Thomas would also solve Miami's problems in the offense, according to Kelly. The 29-year-old tight had caught 30 passes for 281 yards and four touchdowns in 2016.
Ian Rapoport of the NFL Media tweeted that Albert already visited the Jaguars to help facilitate the potential deal. Check out the 2016-2017 highlights of the Miami Dolphins in the video below.
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