The Miami Dolphins are prepared to lose one of their best offensive weapons, something that has become a bit of a trend for the team this offseason. The Dolphins have let go of Brian Hartline, Brandon Gibson and Mike Wallace so far in free agency, leaving Ryan Tannehill with Jarvis Landry and the newly acquired Kenny Stills. After signing Jordan Cameron to a contract, they will be letting go of one more piece that could really hurt the offense in the upcoming season.
After going back and forth on the ideal, the Buffalo Bills have made an offer on Charles Clay to the tune of five years and $38 million with over $20 million in guaranteed money as confirmed by the Buffalo News. This has been a rumored move for weeks. Miami signed the tight end to a transition tag before the Bills considered making an offer. Now the Dolphins have five days to either match or decline the offer on Clay.
According to the Miami Herald, the Dolphins have already prepared themselves for this to happen after losing patience with the tight end. It is unlikely they make the move to retain Clay after giving Cameron a two-year, $15 million contract. Clay is the better tight end of the two despite battling injuries all of last season, but after that marquee contract to Ndamukong Suh, matching the offer on him is simply out of the question.
The Dolphins need to add pieces on offense regardless of whether Clay stays or goes. The team cannot get by with Cameron, Landry, Stills and Lamar Miller in the backfield. Miami has said they are ready to fully invest in Tannehill at quarterback which means surrounding him with the best offensive weapons. Miami could target one of the remaining free agents in Greg Jennings, Michael Crabtree or Hakeem Nicks. They might sign for cheap on shorter contracts as interest appears to be dwindling down on the receiver market.
Miami could also hope that they strike gold twice in the draft. The Dolphins got a big grab with Landry who had a standout rookie season with the team. They could aim to draft someone Kevin White, DeVante Parker or hope that Amari Cooper falls into their lap. With Tannehill preparing to get a big contract this offseason, the team might prefer to invest in a rookie who will be an easier cap hit this season.