When the Dolphins opened 2019 free agency with a whimper as compared to their typical bang, it was the first true sign that change was present in South Florida. And yet, ironically, one of the team’s very first free agent signings has been one of their most impactful — former Patriots defensive back Eric Rowe. Rowe was a former 2nd-round pick out of the University of Utah and found modest success with the Patriots for several seasons while fighting through injuries.
This year in Miami, Rowe has been the lone starter in the secondary to play in all of the Dolphins’ 11 games this season. Minkah Fitzpatrick? Gone. Reshad Jones? On injured reserve. Bobby McCain? Also on injured reserve. Xavien Howard? You guessed it — injured reserve.
And yet Rowe remains and is actually playing pretty solid football ever since being asked to play some safety on the back end. And the Dolphins have noticed, as they’re reportedly interested in locking Rowe into a contract extension.
That’s the latest according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, who reported the news yesterday. What’s more? Rowe and his team seem to be ready to buy in to a future with Miami.
“I like it here,” said Rowe via Jackson’s report.
A former New England Patriot veteran walking into the Dolphins’ building under the watch of Brian Flores and being pleased with the situation, despite a 2-9 record? It wasn’t all that long ago that speculation ran rampant that the Dolphins were grossly endangering players and carelessly throwing away a year of their careers for the betterment of the future. If that’s the case, Rowe doesn’t seem to mind.
Or maybe all that noise never really held and water to begin with.
