In a rare and interesting move on Monday, the Miami Dolphins reportedly placed the transition tag on tight end Charles Clay.
Perhaps nervous about rumors that other teams such as the Denver Broncos and Buffalo Bills might make a play for the versatile tight end, the Dolphins will now pay him $7.071 million in 2015 to stay with the team.
The last time the transition tag was used was last season after the Cleveland Browns placed one on center Alex Mack, and the Pittsburgh Steelers applied the tag to pass rusher Jason Worilds.
Coming off of an injury-riddled season, Clay managed only 58 receptions for 605 yards and three touchdowns.
Other teams who were potentially interested in Clay probably valued his versatility to line up as a fullback and blocker as well as tight end. Perhaps a bit desperate to retain some continuity on their receiving corps after parting ways with wide receivers Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson, the Dolphins will give Clay a raise of over $5.5 million from a season ago.
Through the course of Clay’s four-year career in Miami, he has a total of 1,809 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns.
Just so we can put Clay’s large $7.071 million 2015 salary into perspective, New England Patriots’ tight end Rob Gronkowski’s average annual salary is $9 million and New Orleans Saints’ tight end Jimmy Graham’s average annual salary is $10 million.
This bold move by the Dolphins leaves them approximately $9.3 million under the cap.
Photo: USA Today