Dolphins general manager Chris Grier stands on the field after a game against the Ravens on Sept. 18 in Baltimore. (Julio Cortez, AP)
The Miami Dolphins were looking for a premium pass rusher and, ultimately, decided it was worth paying a premium price for Bradley Chubb of the Denver Broncos.
Dolphins general manager Chris Grier spoke on the process of acquiring the 2020 Pro Bowl edge defender who has 26 sacks through four and a half seasons, including 5 1/2 thus far in 2022, on Wednesday
“We’re always looking for opportunities to upgrade the roster and do things with that we thought could benefit us — not just today — but long term, as well,” Grier said after Miami landed Chubb ahead of the Tuesday trade deadline.
“He’s a 26-year-old, a player at a premium position, a very good football player. We had some very casual conversations a couple of weeks ago about it, but probably until like the last couple of days, when [the Broncos] got back from London, things really heated up.”
The “long term” in his answer is key. Chubb is in the final year of his contract. Grier indicated Wednesday he is confident the Dolphins will sign him to an extension.
“When you do a deal like that for a player, you always, from our perspective when we do business, that we would like to have something done,” Grier said. “And we anticipate having something finished up here shortly.”
And in the short term, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel expects to play his team’s two new acquisitions on Sunday afternoon at Soldier Field against the Chicago Bears.
“They’ll play. Now, how much? That’s to be determined,” McDaniel said. “I’m excited for the team because both of those individuals are excited to be a part of this team. We’re very happy with the direction we’re going and hopefully that will help push forward and continue in that direction.”
There are also injury concerns surrounding Chubb, after he missed most of the 2019 season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee and half of 2021 with an ankle ailment.
“Injuries happen, but we feel good that, at his age and how he plays and the things we do, that it was a risk worth taking,” Grier said. “We did a lot of research and analytics, looking at that. … If you go around the league and look at other guys that are premium pass rushers, historically, there’s been guys that had ACLs and multiple ACL injuries, as well. With him, he’s 26-years-old. He’s tough kid. He keeps himself in great shape.”
Trading away the remaining first-round pick the Dolphins had is also a statement that Miami is confident in what it has in quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
“Very, very happy with how Tua’s playing and what he’s done for us,” Grier said. “It’s been really exciting to watch him blossom on and off the field.”
The trade deadline came and went without the Dolphins making a move for a defensive back with the team depleted by injuries at cornerback and even safety.
“We’ll always keep looking for those opportunities,” Grier said. “When you get to the trade deadline, another thing, everyone’s looking for the same positions: corners, pass rushers and offensive linemen.
“We didn’t make the move. Our coaching staff feels very strongly, as I do, that we have a great group of guys. The guys have played well.”
Grier added that cornerback Byron Jones is still working his way back.
McDaniel noted how the improvement in the pass rush also benefits the whole defense, from the front to the secondary.
“What another edge rusher, especially of his quality, can add to the defense, it can make our team that much better,” McDaniel said. “It can make people at the position group he plays, the defensive front, it can help corners and safeties — it’s all collective.”
The Dolphins GM also said franchise-tagged tight end Mike Gesicki was not involved in trade conversations.
“I received no phone calls about Mike,” Grier said, “and we were not actively shopping him.”
With running back Jeff Wilson coming over from the San Francisco 49ers, Grier indicated McDaniel may have made a slight push for the organization to land his former player.
“He probably had a little bit of influence on that one,” Grier said. “He’s a tough kid. He’s physical. We had talked about him in the offseason, as well, so when the opportunity came, Denver asked for Chase [Edmonds], we had to find a running back. … We were able to get a deal done.”
McDaniel had a relationship with Wilson going back to scouting him before the 6-foot, 213-pound tailback went undrafted out of North Texas in 2018.
“I’ve seen him really grow into a professional,” McDaniel said. “He’s a guy that is magnetic. He’s very focused on football, has a nature of playing football that I think help or affects his teammates in a positive manner.”
Edmonds’ brief stint in Miami came to an end after he averaged just 2.9 yards per carry in his eight games with the Dolphins after signing a two-year, $12.1 million contract in the offseason. As Raheem Mostert supplanted him for the top running back spot, Edmonds didn’t appear to click in Miami’s wide-zone scheme, but McDaniel countered that notion.
“It wasn’t really that. It wasn’t ‘not clicking,’ ” McDaniel said. “This was something to help really facilitate a different roster need, that we felt fortunate to be able to compensate from his loss with the ability to go get Jeff.”
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Originally published at Tribune News Service