Brian Hartline has been one of the more reliable slot receivers in the NFL, but found himself being a salary cap casualty with the Miami Dolphins. Hartline was released along with receiver Brandon Gibson as the team begins to target some of the big names preparing to hit the market in just over a week. Hartline is already getting attention as an unrestricted free agent, but is a return to Miami still in the cards?
According to the Miami Sun-Sentinel, the Dolphins have not ruled out re-signing the wide receiver after they clear $6.4 million by releasing him and Gibson. Team sources are reporting that Hartline was released by request of the receiver as he is aiming to see what his worth is on the open market. The Dolphins originally approached Hartline to restructure his contract as he was due to earn $5.95 million in 2015. After refusing to take a pay cut, Hartline was released, but could easily return if the market is weaker for him.
Hartline has been very reliable for the Dolphins. He produced back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons, before struggling in 2014. The Sun-Sentinel reports that the Dolphins will not consider bringing Hartline back until they determine what the future of Mike Wallace looks like. Miami continues to toy with either trading the receiver or releasing him. The Dolphins are sniffing out the market, but most teams are not biting on a deal thanks to his $9.9 million salary in 2015. The receiver market is considered very strong in 2015 which is hurting a potential deal for Wallace.
Hartline is not waiting around for the Dolphins. If Wallace stays put, the receiver will not get an offer from Miami, so there is urgency to find another offer before the market officially opens. According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Hartline was visiting the Browns on Tuesday as the team is in desperate need of a receiver. Being an Ohio native and playing college football at Ohio State, Hartline appears to be the perfect addition to the Cleveland offense, but the receiver is going to go where the money is right.
There will be a few other teams that try and get Hartline. The Atlanta Falcons could really use the receiver after releasing Harry Douglas. The Carolina Panthers need another addition. The Houston Texans could be looking to get younger after Andre Johnson is traded. Hartline has a market and the Dolphins could get priced out.