Dolphins tabling Tua, Wilkins contract talks until after season

Any contract negotiations between the Miami Dolphins and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins will be tabled until after the 2023 season, general manager Chris Grier told reporters Wednesday, as to not cause a distraction.

The team picked up Tagovailoa’s fifth-year option earlier this offseason and he’s entering the fourth year of his rookie deal. Grier, meanwhile, confirmed the Dolphins made an offer to Wilkins but the two sides amicably did not come to an agreement.

“We’ve had a lot of great dialogue with him and his agent. We made an offer that we thought was fair,” Grier said. “When you do things like that, it has to work for both sides. There was never any ill will from each side. I enjoy his agent, we have good conversations. So, for right now we’re going to hold off, until in my mind until the end of the season. I don’t think it’s fair to distract Christian from his goal of what he wants to achieve and for the team.”

Wilkins told reporters Tuesday that he’s focused on this upcoming season and seemed willing to accept the tabling of his contract negotiations. The 2019 first-round pick is entering the fifth year of his rookie contract but has made it clear he’s interested in an extension.

He spent the past two weeks “holding in,” by participating in individual drills but not team drills at practice. Wilkins ended that “hold in” Tuesday and expressed his undeterred interest in remaining with the Dolphins organization. Sources told ESPN that teams called Miami to gauge interest in trading for Wilkins but neither the Dolphins nor Wilkins entertained the idea of a trade.

“I’ll just say, at the end of the day, nobody wants to be a Miami Dolphin more than me. No one wants to work for this organization more than me,” Wilkins said Tuesday. “And that’s from Valerie at the front desk, to the coaches on the coaching staff, to Hubert who cleans up the building. Nobody wants to be a part of the organization more than myself. That’s how I feel, that’s what it is, that’s where I’m at with everything still.

“This is my home. I was drafted here, I love this place and I put my all to be the best player, the best leader, the best teammate, the best Miami Dolphin I can be. That’s not going to change. The organization deserves that, my teammates deserve that, the fans deserve that and everything.”

In other roster news, Grier said cornerback Jalen Ramsey will be placed on injured reserve after he underwent meniscus surgery in July. Ramsey will miss at least the first four games of the 2023 season and although there is no public timeline for his return, the Dolphins expect him to play at some point this season.

“Jalen’s made an impact since he’s been here. He’s been fantastic in the room with the young guys, even the veterans,” Grier said. “He comes around still when he doesn’t have to, watching practice, standing on the sideline. His talent, obviously we miss, but it’s also an opportunity for these young guys to step up and make plays.”

Cornerback Keion Crossen will also miss the entire 2023 season after suffering a “freak injury” Tuesday.