Olivier Vernon Gets Mega-Deal From Giants
Fake Twitter reports aside, Olivier Vernon has reached a deal with a new team.
Vernon agreed to sign with the New York Giants Wednesday, taking a 5-year, $85 million deal with $52.5 million in guaranteed money. The deal is said to be the biggest payday for a "rush end" in NFL history.
The now former Dolphin defensive end had his transition tag rescinded by Miami earlier Wednesday – opening the door him to take his talents to The Big Apple.
Since it removed the tag and with Vernon signing elsewhere, Miami is eligible to receive a compensatory pick in April's NFL Draft.
Vernon, who went to high school (Hialeah American) and college (University of Miami) in South Florida, will be entering his fifth season in the league after totaling 196 tackles and 29 sacks in four years with the Dolphins.
Prior to his official signing with the Giants, false reports surfaced on Twitter Wednesday afternoon saying that Vernon had reached an agreement with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The sham report made it all the way to mainstream media – even forcing reporters from major outlets to backtrack and apologize for broadcasting false information.
Still, Miami's defense will look a lot different in 2016-17. Vernon's departure comes on the heels of the Fins signing former No. 1 overall pick and Buffalo Bills defensive end Mario Williams to a two-year deal.
Many thought the Dolphins would keep Vernon to pair with Williams and move on from defensive end Cam Wake, who missed just over half of the 2015-16 season with an Achilles injury. However it was reported Tuesday, before they removed Vernon's transition tag and he signed elsewhere, that the team had no plans of moving on from Wake.
Also, the Dolphins officially released Pro Bowl cornerback Brent Grimes; finalized the trade with the Philadelphia Eagles for cornerback Byron Maxwell and linebacker Kiko Alonzo; and signed free agent safety Isa Abdul-Quddus to a three-year deal.