The Miami Dolphins crossed off another item on the offensive line checklist on the eve of free agency opening up.
The Dolphins and reserve lineman Robert Jones agreed on Sunday night to a one-year deal, according to a league source, that will keep him in Miami for a fourth season.
The team got the good news that five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Terron Armstead, after considering retirement, was indeed returning for the 2024 season earlier Sunday. With Jones among four interior offensive linemen that was set for free agency — Jones a restricted free agent — that solves one impending issue up front for the upcoming season.
Miami still has right guard Robert Hunt, center Connor Williams and left guard Isaiah Wynn — all starters at the beginning of last season — as unrestricted free agents. Jones has been a viable backup and spot starter as a guard and also presents versatility, once starting a game as a rookie at tackle.
Jones first made the Dolphins 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie out of Middle Tennessee State in 2021 at his first NFL training camp. He has 13 starts for Miami in his first three seasons, five last season, and has contributed more than 400 offensive snaps in each of his past two campaigns.
In 2023, Jones dealt with a preseason knee injury that had him start off the year on injured reserve but get activated later. He had a separate knee issue pop up in Miami’s November loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Germany.
If Hunt, who appears bound for a lucrative contract for offensive guard standards, is not retained for the Dolphins, Jones could be an option at right guard to at least compete for the starting job should Miami not bring in a sure starting-caliber player at the position.
With Jones returning, Miami decided to secure both of its impending restricted free agents this offseason, the other being defensive back and special teamer Elijah Campbell.
The Dolphins also showed a willingness to keep players that originally made the team as undrafted free agents as they re-signed cornerback Nik Needham, a 2019 rookie, over the weekend. The team officially announced that signing earlier Sunday.
NFL free agents can begin negotiating with outside teams at noon Monday, while signings can start at 4 p.m. Wednesday, the start of the new league year.
