NFL agent Drew Rosenhaus did a Wednesday morning interview with 560-AM to discuss several Miami Dolphins offseason topics, including the lack of a franchise tag for defensive tackle Christian Wilkins and the release of his client, linebacker Jerome Baker.
The Dolphins saved $9.8 million toward the 2024 salary cap by cutting Baker, but it’s not out of the question that the linebacker of six years in Miami could return, according to his agent.
“His career with the Dolphins may not be over,” Rosenhaus said.
He noted that he and other recent Dolphins cuts — like cornerback Xavien Howard, defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah and cornerback/special teamer Keion Crossen — could return on a different contract with a pay cut.
“It’s more of a salary thing, and certainly, there’s interest in Jerome with the Dolphins organization and it’s mutual, but we couldn’t reach a satisfactory agreement in time,” Rosenhaus said. “As a result, he’s now a free agent.”
Baker’s two injuries late last season played a role in the Dolphins wanting the linebacker at a lower salary, according to Rosenhaus.
“It’s always a surprise with a great football player like Jerome who’s in his prime and played so well last year,” he said. “We wouldn’t be having this discussion had it not been for the knee injury that Jerome suffered when his teammate ran into his knee and he sprained his MCL in the Commanders game. And certainly, the injury that he suffered against the Bills with the dislocated wrist.
“Jerome, in my opinion, has been one of the best players overall in the Dolphins since he was drafted here six years ago, has been a great leader, had the green dot, he’s been a Walter Payton Man of the Year (nominee). I think he would be one of the very best linebackers the Dolphins have had in their history. When you talk about some of the best guys to do it over a period of years, Jerome’s going to be one that Dolphins fans certainly will appreciate for a long time.”
Rosenhaus, although he doesn’t represent Wilkins, also opined on the standout defensive tackle getting set to hit the open market next week after Miami didn’t place him on the franchise tag by Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline.
“I think he’s going to be one of the most sought-after free agents in the entire market,” he said. He’ll most certainly sign for more than what the franchise tag number is for defensive tackles, which is $22 million.
“It’s a hot market, and he’s one of the best overall players in free agency. I’m quite certain, even though the Dolphins didn’t franchise him, that they’ll be really aggressive to bring him back. I’m sure they’ll be very competitive with the other teams. I wouldn’t count the Dolphins out, but certainly, now they’ve got a ton of competition as compared to the franchise tag.”
Rosenhaus does represent free agent tight end Jonnu Smith, an FIU alum, and detailed where things stand after Smith’s Tuesday visit with the Dolphins.
“I think Jonnu is one of the most attractive tight ends on the market right now,” he said. “He had a good meeting with the Dolphins. We have had discussions, but that’s really the most that I can say about that one right now. It’s a fluid situation. There are other teams involved.”
