Talk of the Dolphins shopping or releasing several key players has been rampant in the last few days, but Miami surprised with the release of strong safety TJ McDonald yesterday — the first Dolphin to get the axe.
McDonald, 28, signed with the Dolphins in 2017 after previously playing for the Rams, where he was drafted in 2013. In his two seasons with Miami, McDonald played 22 games for a total of 94 solo tackles, four interceptions, and eight passes defensed. In has career, he has amassed 312 tackles, five sacks, eight interceptions, one forced fumble, and 25 passes defensed.
The University of Southern California alumnus was suspended for eight games in 2017 for violating the NFL’s policy on substance abuse, but that didn’t stop the Dolphins from signing him to a four-year, $24 million extension during that year’s training camp.
The move to cut McDonald boosts a comment made by Reshad Jones, the Dolphins other strong safety, yesterday. Jones, who has been tied to trade rumors this offseason, claimed that he had received assurances from the Dolphins that he was not being traded. With McDonald now out of the picture, that seems quite certain.
Miami won’t save much cap by cutting McDonald—just $1.5 million this year. They still have to pay McDonald his guaranteed base salary of $4 million.
Although fans may be sad to see a talent like McDonald, they can now expect to see a lot more of Reshad Jones this season, who was previously expected to share snaps with McDonald.
