The Dolphins announced that they’ve re-signed their top impending free agent, wide receiver Kenny Stills. Stills will reportedly receive a four-year, $32MM pact with $20MM in guarantees.
Miami was among at least three teams – including the Bears, tweets Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times – in negotiations with Stills. A contract worth around $12MM per annum seemed like a possibility as of late February for Stills, but he’ll fall well short of that level.
Stills’ decision to eschew free agency in favor of a deal with the Dolphins has taken PFR’s third-ranked player off the board the night before the market opens. The 6-foot-1, 194-pounder earned that lofty position on the heels of a 42-catch, 726-yard, nine-touchdown season, his second with the Dolphins. Since entering the NFL as the Saints’ fifth-round pick in 2013, the field-stretching Stills has appeared in 63 of a possible 64 games, made 41 starts (including every Miami contest last year) and averaged 41 receptions, 685 yards and five scores per season.
Looking ahead to the 2017 campaign, Stills will join fellow receivers Jarvis Landry and DeVante Parker – and a prominent newcomer, tight end Julius Thomas – as Miami’s best weapons in the passing game. Landry’s scheduled to become a free agent in a year, so having Stills and Parker under control beyond then will give quarterback Ryan Tannehill and head coach Adam Gase at least two capable wideouts for the foreseeable future.
With Stills now off the board, Alshon Jeffery and Terrelle Pryor undoubtedly stand as the top two unsigned receivers entering free agency. Stills is third high-profile receiver who has left the list Thursday, as Pierre Garcon (49ers) and Brandon Marshall (Giants) previously agreed to deals.
Freelance reporter Rand Getlin (Twitter link) first reported Stills had re-signed with the Dolphins. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweeted the length and financials of the contract. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Sigh
Good for Kenny
Good sign l. Kenny balled last year.
Went to the Seattle opener last year. Will never forget the wide open perfect pass he dropped that probably would have won the game for the Phins…..plus a few other crucial drops during the year. Probably would have been a good deal if he could catch the f…ing ball!!!
I’m way past the Hawks game, but too much cash for a 40 catch 700 yd Receiver. He’s more of a luxury we can’t afford than a need. And yes, the drops……
Absolutely
Why not allocate this money to someone like Zeitler instead?
he would have received 10- 13 million in free agency, Miami got a serious home town discount, he’s definitely worth 8 million a year. He also had the 3rd most per reception in 2016, and if he fixes the drops he will be a great asset to the phins.
Because he is an offensive lineman and a guard at that. Some positions have a greater impact than others. QB first then LT then PASS RUSHER etc down to LB RB OG that are more of a plug and play type of position. However if we had more cap money YES I would love to see that O-line. Remember a speed WR can strech the feild thus underneath is open for Landry and TE’s plus it helps the ground game.
Still got about 20+ mil under the cap. Plenty to address a couple needs. I’m thinking LB and G in free agency. Rest in draft. Good signing.
Dolphins becoming pros at over-paying.
In spite of what I said about the Stills buy, Gase has produced some surprising results with what he had to work with. I think I’ll shut up until we see what next season brings. Go Phins!!!
Great sign keeping the receiver corps together at least one more year , familiarity with system will garner better offense and more points.
So the dolphins overpaid and at the same time got a hometown discount
Aha wat dah confusedz blah
He was not over paid b/c some other team would if paid a lot more two get him. And he already knows the system!
Maybe now he can afford to buy a jugs machine
Take the remaining money now and shore up secondary. Play disciplined football going forward and the Fins may be on their way