Reshad Jones “hold out” begins
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins are hosting their 2nd OTA’s of the off-season and Reshad Jones is staying away. It’s not a holdout until his participation becomes mandatory.
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Jones played well above a Pro-Bowl level in 2016 but he was not voted into the NFL’s antiquated all-star game. He was added as an alternate later. His play however ranked in the top five of all NFL safeties. As a result, Jones is looking to make more money.
Already the 9th highest paid safety in the league, Jones, who has two years left on his contract wants a long-term deal. His last contract was signed at the end of the 2013 season. A four-year deal that is now two years in.
While it’s hard to classify his absence as a holdout since the camps thus far are voluntary, that changes on June 14th when the team will conduct its first mandatory camp. Jones through his agent has made it clear he will not be at camp without a new contract. The Dolphins have the right to fine him should he stay away.
The bigger question is whether or not he will attend the team’s training camp at the end of July. Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reported earlier this week that the Dolphins have told Jones’ camp they want to sign him to a longer deal but want to wait until after this season rather than two years prior to the end of the current contract. It would set a bad precedence.
Jones is playing at an elite level and his missing time and learning the Vance Joseph defensive system shouldn’t hinder his 2016 progress but there is no question that his lack of attendance is not allowing him to bond with the newer additions at the position.
For now, it’s a waiting game. Miami will no more about his intentions when the mandatory camp arrives and he isn’t there but it becomes 100% real when training camp rolls around.