Josh Rosen Unlikely To Play Again In 2019
With the Dolphins looking to the future, it’s fair to wonder if head coach Brian Flores will reinsert second-year QB Josh Rosen into the starting lineup for the final two games of the season instead of continuing to roll with 37-year-old journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick.
But as Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald writes, Flores has shot down the idea that he needs to get another look at Rosen this year. “We will always do what we feel is in the best interests of this team and play the guy that gives us the best chance to win; we feel that’s Ryan,” Flores said. “It’s [been] that way for the last 8 to 10 weeks.”
Of course, Miami acquired Rosen from the Cardinals this offseason for second- and fifth-round picks, and given his status as the No. 10 overall pick of the 2018 draft, it made sense for the draft pick-rich Dolphins to take a flier on the UCLA product. But in six games (three starts) this season, Rosen has completed 53.2% of his passes and has thrown one touchdown against five interceptions. He was similarly disappointing in his rookie campaign with Arizona, and while the 2018 Cardinals and the 2019 Dolphins boasted little offensive firepower of any kind, Jackson says Miami does not view Rosen as its long-term QB.
The team could save a little money by turning back to Rosen, as Fitzpatrick will earn $2.5MM in incentives if he plays in 75% or more of Miami’s offensive snaps this season (he has currently played in 76.9% of the team’s snaps). That money is guaranteed and is in addition to his $5.5MM base salary for 2020, but that is not a pressing issue for the Dolphins, who will have a ton of cap space to work with.
When asked if there is anything more to learn about Rosen by seeing him in additional game action, Flores said, “[y]ou can always get more information, but we have what we have [and that’s] practice reps and the game reps he had and his play for [Arizona] a year ago. The most important thing is what we see in practice on a weekly basis.” Reading between the lines, it sounds like Rosen hasn’t been any more impressive in practice than he has been in games.
Dolphins Waive Marcus Sherels
Marcus Sherels‘ tenure with the Dolphins has come to an end. Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald tweets that Miami has waived the veteran returner/defensive back. Safety Montre Hartage has been promoted from the practice squad to take the open roster spot.
Sherels spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Vikings before signing a one-year deal with the Saints this past offseason. The 32-year-old was placed on the injured reserve after the preseason, and he was released by New Orleans days later. He caught on with the Vikings for his second stint with the organization back in September, and he proceeded to appear in three games for Minnesota.
He was cut by the Vikings in early October, and he signed with the Dolphins about a month later. Sherels primarily served as a return man during his five games with Miami. He returned three kickoffs for 57 yards and six punts for 23 yards, adding a fumble along the way.
Hartage, a rookie defensive back out of Northwestern, has spent the majority of the season on Miami’s practice squad. He had a brief stint on the active roster earlier this month. Hartage had a solid preseason with the Dolphins, compiling five tackles.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/13/19
Today’s minor moves:
Denver Broncos
- Placed on IR: WR Juwann Winfree
Miami Dolphins
- Claimed: CB Tae Hayes (from Jaguars)
- Placed on IR: DT Gerald Willis
Dolphins Sign DeVante Parker To Extension
Months after DeVante Parker agreed to a through-2020 extension with the Dolphins, the breakout wideout is nearing another agreement.
The Dolphins and their top receiver are close on a deal that would keep Parker in Miami through 2023, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets. The Louisville alum is set to sign the contract, according to Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The team announced the agreement.
The deal will be worth more than $40MM, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com reports (via Twitter), adding that the agreement is believed to be high on guarantees. That would seemingly be necessary in order to convince Parker not to bet on himself in 2021 free agency. This contract will include an $8MM signing bonus, and the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson reports (via Twitter) it will be worth up to $40MM. Both Parker’s 2020 and 2021 salaries will be fully guaranteed, which represents nice security for a former first-rounder who was heading toward bust status before this season.
Despite Parker’s underwhelming first four seasons, the Dolphins’ new power structure retained him through 2020 via a two-year, $10MM agreement. The 26-year-old wideout has far outperformed expectations this season, catching 55 passes for a career-high 882 yards and six touchdowns. He’s been perhaps the top bright spot on a rebuilding Dolphins team. This comes after years of the 2015 first-round pick being a trade candidate.
Although Miami jettisoned numerous veterans this year, the team has extended multiple veterans in-season. Allen Hurns and Eric Rowe signed extensions in recent weeks, though neither deal was in Parker’s price range. This pact would place Parker among the middle class at wide receiver. Twenty-four receivers earn at least $10MM annually, and the Dolphins will now employ one of them.
Jim Caldwell Back To Full Health
Coach Jim Caldwell is back to full health, Fritz Pollard Alliance chairman Rod Graves told Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press (on Twitter). Caldwell joined the Dolphins’ staff in January but took a medical leave in July. 
This year, Caldwell is once again on the Fritz Pollard Alliance’s list to be a head coaching candidate. It’s not clear if he’ll garner interest as a head coach, but he has the support of Dolphins HC Brian Flores.
“He’s been a great coach for a long time. He’s someone who’s been a mentor, someone I can bounce ideas off the entire season,” Flores told reporters on Friday. “Great coach and he would be very worthy of a head coach in this league. I’ll say that over and over and over again.”
For what it’s worth, Caldwell does want to return to the sidelines in 2020, as Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports writes. La Canfora does expect Caldwell to get some consideration from teams looking for an HC.
Caldwell has been coaching since 1977, and he’s held NFL gigs since 2001. He had a three-year stint as the head coach of the Colts that included a Super Bowl appearance. Caldwell later moved on to become the head coach of the Lions, and he compiled a 36-28 record during his four years in Detroit. Since then, he’s had a handful of head coaching interviews, including talks with the Packers, Jets, and Browns.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/12/19
We’ll keep track of today’s practice squad moves here:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: WR DaMarkus Lodge
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: CB Rashard Causey
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: TE Jerrell Adams
NFL Workout Updates: 12/11/19
Here are Wednesday’s workout updates:
Chicago Bears
- LB Devante Bond, S Kentrell Brice, S Derrick Kindred
Cincinnati Bengals
- CB Dee Delaney
Detroit Lions
- RB Tra Carson, WR Jonathan Duhart, WR Emanuel Hall, TE Matt Lengel
Green Bay Packers
Miami Dolphins
- CB DaShaun Amos, LB Willie Jefferson, DE Jonathan Kongbo, LB Derrick Moncrief, DE Mike Moore, CB Marcus Sayles, LB Nick Usher. (Each player played in the CFL this season)
Seattle Seahawks
- RB Nick Brossette, RB Matthew Dayes, RB Xavier Turner
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/10/19
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Re-signed DL Caraun Reid
- Placed on IR: DL Rodney Gunter
Dallas Cowboys
- Promoted from practice squad: OT Mitch Hyatt
- Placed on IR: WR Cedrick Wilson
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: LB Dakota Allen, C Tyler Gauthier
- Placed on IR: LB Jake Ryan
Miami Dolphins
- Signed off New England’s practice squad: DB Nate Brooks
- Signed off Tennessee’s practice squad: LB Jamal Davis
- Claimed off waivers from Packers: OT Adam Pankey
- Placed on IR: CBs Ryan Lewis and Ken Webster
- Waived: RB Zach Zenner
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted: WR Ishmael Hyman
Washington Redskins
- Suspended: CB Simeon Thomas (four games)
Interestingly Dallas’ hand was forced with Hyatt, as they promoted the offensive lineman because another team was trying to poach him away, a source told Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News (Twitter link). He’s a rookie UDFA from Clemson. Elsewhere, the Dolphins are scooping up players from other teams left and right as they build for 2020.
2020 NFL Draft Order As Of Week 15
With 14 full weeks of the NFL season in the books, the 2020 draft order is beginning to take shape. Here’s the rundown of where things would stand if the 2019 season ended today:
1. Bengals: 1-12
2. Giants: 2-11
3. Redskins: 3-10
4. Dolphins: 3-10
5. Lions: 3-9-1
6. Cardinals: 3-9-1
7. Jaguars: 4-9
8. Falcons: 4-9
9. Jets: 5-8
10. Chargers: 5-8
11. Broncos 5-8
12. Panthers 5-8
13. Eagles 6-7
14. Raiders 6-7
15. Colts 6-7
16. Buccaneers 6-7
17. Browns 6-7
18. Raiders (via Bears) 6-7
19. Titans 8-5
20. Jaguars (via Rams) 8-5
21. Cowboys 6-7
22. Dolphins (via Steelers) 8-5
23. Dolphins (via Texans) 8-5
24. Vikings 9-4
25. Bills 9-4
26. Chiefs 9-4
27. Packers 10-3
28. Seahawks 10-3
29. Patriots 10-3
30. Saints 10-3
31. Ravens 11-2
32. 49ers 11-2
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/7/19
Here are today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Jalen Davis
- Waived: DL Caraun Reid
Miami Dolphins
- Signed off Seattle’s practice squad: CB Linden Stephens
- Waived: CB Chris Lammons
Washington Redskins
- Placed on IR: S Deshazor Everett
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Darvin Kidsy