JUNE 11: Despite McDaniel’s Tuesday remarks, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on NFL Live (via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald) that Smith’s absence is actually excused given the ongoing trade talks in his case. McDaniel declined to say whether or not Smith will be subject to fines (valued at a three-day total of roughly $104K) for his absence, but a decision on that front could help indicate whether or not he will remain in Miami for 2025.
JUNE 10: A pair of Dolphins veterans won’t be in attendance during mandatory minicamp this week. Coach Mike McDaniel told reporters that tight end Jonnu Smith and cornerback Jalen Ramsey will be absent from upcoming practices, per NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe.
Smith continues to seek a new contract and will be sitting out in apparent protest. The veteran’s absence is unexcused, so he’ll be subject to fines if/when he returns. Ramsey’s absence is excused as the two sides work to find a new home for the cornerback, according to McDaniel (via Wolfe).
Smith has been included in trade talks for several weeks now, although the tight end has made it clear that he wants to stick in Miami. The veteran is entering the second season of a two-year, $8.4MM deal and has been pushing for an extension, although it sounds like the Dolphins aren’t in any rush to ink the 29-year-old to a new deal.
To Smith’s credit, the tight end is rightfully looking to capitalize on a career season. After showing flashes in stops with the Titans, Patriots, and Falcons, Smith emerged as one of Miami’s most reliable pass catchers in 2025. The tight end finished the year with career-highs in receptions (88), receiving yards (884), and touchdowns (eight). The Dolphins don’t have much of a solution behind their starter, but it’s uncertain if that would be enough for the organization to blink during extension talks. Smith, meanwhile, would be subject to more than $100K in fines if he sits out all of mandatory minicamp.
We heard recently that Ramsey wouldn’t be in the building for mandatory minicamp. The two sides continue to look for a new team for the veteran cornerback, although the player’s contract remains a sticking point. An acquiring team would have to pick up at least $2.02MM in 2025 (Ramsey’s salary and per game roster bonus) with $65.7MM of non-guaranteed money due over the following three years.
There were recent rumblings that there was genuine interest in the cornerback, although suitors would be looking for some salary relief in a potential trade. The Dolphins are surely preparing for this scenario, although the front office has every reason to wait out the process in pursuit of the best possible deal.
The Dolphins pamper their players too much which is why they are soft. Perhaps they should take some lessons from the Florida Panthers on how to play it rough and tough.
Has Ramsey ever been happy with his team/contract?
Ramsey, Hendrickson and Kapernick were spotted at a Miami park playing in a pick up game. The game broke up when Hendrickson knocked over 8 year old Jimmy and 6 year old Timmy and tackled their sister Jenny, who was playing all- time QB, for a ten yard loss. After Trey’s sack dance Jimmy and Timmy went home to their mommy and Billy, who owned the nerf football, took his ball and went home. All this ticked off Antonio Brown who had called next game.
You just convinced me you might be as nutty as Roger Goodell…you interested in being NFL commissioner some day? 🙂
Haters gonna hate, playas gonna play. I’m a playa baby. 🙃 And yes, I would love to be Commissioner of the NFL. First rule change, all lineman get brass knuckles.
Which you would be immediately fired for. Decent QB’s make $50+ million a year now, no owner wants their assets beaten up.
Rodgers probably isn’t going to be an asset in Pittsburgh so can we use him as a test case?
As a life long dolphins fan I can confidently say this is the worst run professional football team on the planet.