In what amounts to a bizarre twist in an already odd story, Dolphins linebacker Lawrence Timmons visited his former team — the Steelers — during Miami’s Week 1 bye and watched the club practice, reports Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.
Timmons, of course, went AWOL prior to Miami’s Week 2 contest and has subsequently been suspended indefinitely. But prior to that episode, Timmons ventured to Pittsburgh (his professional home from 2007-16) and was allowed into the Steelers’ facility. Most players and team officials were unaware Timmons planned to attend practice, although head coach Mike Tomlin had some idea of the visit, per La Canfora.
Timmons reportedly told his former Steelers teammates that he wanted to return to Pittsburgh, and essentially called his decision to sign with the Dolphins this offseason a mistake. The 31-year-old Timmons inked a two-year, $12MM deal with Miami in March that included $11MM in full guarantees.
Clearly, an under-contract player attending the practice of another NFL team is extremely peculiar event, but it’s unclear if that incident will affect Timmons’ status with the Dolphins. Head coach Adam Gase seemingly opened the window for a Timmons return last week, but La Canfora reports the veteran linebacker may never play a down for the club.
Im a Steeler fan. This is an awkward situation. If Tomlin knew that Timmons was going to visit practice, IMO Tomlin shouldn’t have allowed it to happen. There wasn’t anything shady going on, but it sure could have looked that way to others. If Timmons wants to visit, fine, just don’t make it during an actual practice. Whatever Lawrence is dealing with, I hope that he and the Dolphins work it out and that he returns to them and plays well, because otherwise this whole scenario paints him in a bad light to some.
Is Timmons a 10-year old trapped in an NFL body? Man-up, dude. You signed a contract, now go play football.
Would this be considered tampering? Surely there was some sort of “contact” from Steelers coaches and front office personnel. Regardless of the intent, hosting a player at your facility and interacting with him has to draw notice from the league.
This could only happen to the Dolphins.
Leaves one wondering if the Steelers could work out a trade for Timmons…though would they really want him back that badly under the circumstances?