Miami Dolphins mandatory camp starts but contracts headline

The Miami Dolphins were expecting full participation for the start of this week’s final mandatory off-season camp and they almost got there.

Xavien Howard did not show up for practice but that wasn’t unexpected due to his contract situation and wanting a new deal. The rest of the team showed up.

Some wondered if Emmanuel Ogbah would attend the camp. Ogbah has one year remaining on his contract and has not attended the previous voluntary sessions. It was reported today by local media members in attendance that Ogbah is indeed attending today’s workouts.

Brian Flores told media earlier that there have been discussions with the agents for Ogbah and Mike Gesicki about new contracts but this is really early stuff if we read anything into it.

"They’ve both been productive players on our team and we’ll continue to have or will have conversations with their representation; but again, every situation is a little bit different. And I think there’s an understanding that the ones that if we can get them done, we’ll get them done and if we can’t, then we can’t.  – Brian Flores on Mike Gesicki and Emmanuel Ogbah’s contracts."

With Ogbah in camp, the Dolphins can get quality work in but there is a looming problem over the team and that is that while the Dolphins have a great young core of players, some are coming due for new deals. In the case of Ogbah and Gesicki, the salary cap is going to come into play but this year may not be the year to get anything done. Miami has three more rookies to sign, just extended Jerome Baker, have to deal with Xavien Howard, and a salary cap that is almost $20 million less than the previous cap.

In 2022, the cap is going to go up considerably and when it does, that will open opportunities for players to get new contracts. Miami would like to keep both Ogbah and Gesicki but they may not be able to and that is business in the NFL.