Bringing back Cameron Wake makes sense for the Miami Dolphins

For years I have been one of those who have repeatedly said that the Miami Dolphins should part ways with Cameron Wake. Not this year.

Cameron Wake is no longer the defensive end he has been with the Miami Dolphins. His production fell off in 2018 and he spent some time on the sideline with injuries. With the Dolphins heading towards a re-build it would make sense to let Cameron Wake shop his services to other teams. That is if he wants to continue playing.

Wake will likely make around $9 million this season and the Dolphins should easily be able to handle that salary but the real reason he should stick around is leadership. Miami is going to lack leadership and they can’t afford to let him walk.

There is a good chance that Andre Branch, Robert Quinn, and William Hayes will all be gone this off-season and Miami will likely turn to the NFL Draft to find a replacement and that young player could benefit from a year or two with Wake on the roster. It also sends a good message to the fans that one of their favorite players will be able to retire with the team he started with.

Wake’s first NFL experience came with the New York Giants but he failed to make the team and headed to the CFL where Jeff Ireland found him and brought him to Miami. It was the best acquisition that Ireland made while with the Dolphins. Now it’s time to see it through and let him ride out the final years of his career in Miami.

While Wake is not the player he used to be, he is still valued on the field. A top edge rusher who has lost a step or two, Wake can still collapse the pocket. In the Brian Flores and Patrick Graham defense Wake could get a surge in production and that would suit the Dolphins fine.

Wake is an impending free agent who has stated he would like to continue playing and that he would like to stay in Miami if at all possible. It should be possible.