The Miami Dolphins placed the transition tag on defensive end Olivier Vernon earlier in March but decided to allow Vernon to become a free agent after agreeing to terms with Mario Williams, per Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Now, Vernon is on the move after agreeing to a major contract.
Continue for updates.
Vernon Signs with Giants
Wednesday, March 9
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported the deal is worth $85 million over five years with $52.5 million guaranteed.
Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports first reported on Monday that the Giants were interested in Vernon.
Jaguars Were Interested in Vernon
Wednesday, March 9
Jeff Darlington of NFL Network reported the Jacksonville Jaguars were involved with Vernon since his transitional tag was reportedly removed.
Dolphins Reportedly Remove Vernon's Transition Tag
Wednesday, March 9
ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Albert Breer reported the Dolphins pulled Vernon's transition tag, allowing him to become a free agent. Schefter expects Vernon "will command big dollars."
Breer added: "Miami can get a 2017 comp pick for [Vernon] now—which could be as high as a third-rounder. Couldn't if he had the tag on him."
Vernon Comments on Status with Dolphins
Wednesday, March 9
Vernon posted a column on The MMQB revealing that he likely won't be re-signing with the Dolphins:
I honestly thought the Dolphins and I would be able to work out a deal. I thought we would find something to agree on. So I didn’t know I was going to hit the free agent market until the day I got the transition tag. It all came down to the stipulations with the salary cap in Miami; they don’t have much room to maneuver. Once I understood that, it started to sink in a little bit, that I probably won’t be here. I’m 25 years old, and for the first time in my life I probably won’t be playing football in Miami.
Market 'Robust' for Vernon
Monday, March 7
Robinson reported the Oakland Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars, Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans were all possible destinations for Vernon.
Vernon Has Earned Big-Money Deal
The 25-year-old logged 7.5 sacks and 61 combined tackles last season and, per Spotrac, stands to make $12.734 million in salary for the 2016 campaign.
A native of Miami, Vernon thrived playing for his hometown team. He has done enough to earn a multiyear payday, and since the Dolphins have lost him, they'll be down a key pass-rusher from a team that finished tied for 25th with only 31 sacks in 2015.
| NFL Salary-Cap Room As of Monday, March 7 | ||
| 1 | Jacksonville Jaguars | $83,236,096 |
| 2 | Oakland Raiders | $65,387,576 |
| 3 | San Francisco 49ers | $62,929,755 |
| 4 | New York Giants | $56,629,617 |
| 5 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | $53,708,192 |
| 6 | Tennessee Titans | $47,747,324 |
| 9 | Cleveland Browns | $42,258,470 |
| 22 | Miami Dolphins | $19,419,619 |
| Source: Spotrac.com | ||
