This one was supposed to be a clean break. The Dolphins could have cut Robert Quinn at any time over the course of the last few days and saved themselves $12.9 million. But Miami hasn’t cut Quinn, not while it’s been working to leverage him into a potential trade for extra assets.
But Quinn’s salary complicates matters. Who in their right mind would trade anything of value for a defensive end who has struggled greatly with back issues and is now owed nearly $13 million despite only modest production?
Apparently no one. So the Dolphins, as they’re doing in free agency, is holding firm. Their intentions at this time are somewhat unclear on Quinn, but as of yesterday, he’s been paid $1.1 million in the form of a roster bonus. Miami now has invested in Quinn for 2019, when just days ago we’d have assumed Quinn was a dead man walking.
Where can the Dolphins go from here? They still have options. Perhaps they intend to keep Quinn on the roster in 2019. That’s doubtful. But by paying down his cap hit, the team can now invite more pass rush hungry teams to the negotiating table. After all, $11.8 million is less than $12.9 million.
It’s an interesting case, one to keep a watchful eye on for Dolphins fans. Is the team playing checkers or chess? If paying down a salary to increase trade value can help return an asset for Quinn, it’s a win – especially in a year where there’s going to be tons of sunk salary cap space in dead cash.
