It appears as though contract negotiations between the Miami Dolphins and free-agent-to-be Jarvis Landry have stalled.
I mean, how else can you describe it when Landry himself called the team’s approach “disrespectful” in a story by Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald detailing the situation?
Damarius Bilbo, Landry’s agent, told the Herald that the Dolphins made an offer in December, to which he made a counteroffer. But here’s the thing, Landry and his agent have yet to hear back from the team since the counteroffer was put on the table.
Landry and his agent wouldn’t discuss contract terms, but Jackson writes that the belief is Landry sees Davante Adams’ deal with the Green Bay Packers – $58 million ($32 million guaranteed) over four years – as a ballpark. Don’t expect Landry to take a hometown discount, either. His agent recently told Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post: “Take a discount? Absolutely not. This may be Jarvis’ first and last time to set himself up and his family up. He needs to strike while the iron is hot.”
Landry insists he’s a team player and his preference would be to return to Miami. Still, it’s clear he feels jilted by the team because of the process.
“I feel like in the NFL, they preach loyalty and family and they have none for you,” Landry told the Herald. “As a player, you see it’s not a family during negotiations, how it becomes them versus me or me versus them. That’s the part of the NFL I believe the fans don’t see.”
Landry hasn’t missed a game in his four years since being drafted in the second round (63rd overall) in the 2014 NFL Draft. He has started 57 of 64 possible games and has averaged 142 targets, 100 catches, 1,009 yards, and 5 touchdowns during his four-year career. He set career bests in catches (112) and touchdowns (9) in 2017. But if Landry and the Dolphins can’t come to an agreement, he will become a free agent and will shoot to the top of the free agent market.
Helloooooo, Bears?
In assessing the biggest needs for each of the NFL’s 32 teams in the offseason ahead, Pro Football Focus’ Sam Monson makes the painfully obvious connection between the Bears and their need for wide receiver.
Monson takes it a step further, calling the Bears “real players” for Landry because of his ability to operate in the middle of the field and move the chains. Landry was pass catching machine, leading the league in receptions – including 68 from the slot. It’s possible the Bears double dip at the position with high profile names, as Monson notes the Bears could snag Alabama wideout Calvin Ridley as a complementary piece to Landry.
Of course, the one wrench that can be thrown into the plan is Miami’s ability to use the Franchise or Transition Tag to retain Landry for his age 26 season. If you’re unfamiliar with the tags and how they work, you can briefly re-visit this post from 2017.
In any case, your rooting interests are for Landry and the Dolphins to go separate ways, because the free agent WR market is thinning every day. Even if the Bears don’t love Landry (or vice versa) more options on the market can help drive prices down across the board.
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