clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Robert Ayers signs with Buccaneers

Free agent defensive end Robert Ayers signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Dolphins had a visit scheduled with free agent defensive end Robert Ayers, a player they were, reportedly, highly interested in adding to the roster. Unfortunately for the Dolphins, Ayers did not make it to his scheduled visit, instead choosing to sign a three-year, $21.5 million contract, with $10.5 million guaranteed, according to Ian Rapoport. The signing clearly takes the top remaining pass rusher off the market.

Miami's plan this offseason seems to have been to sign two defensive ends, one to replace Olivier Vernon, who signed a free-agent contract with the New York Giants, and one to allow the team to rotate Cameron Wake from a three-down defensive end into a pass rush specialist.

Ayers, a seven-year veteran, has 26 sacks in his career, with nine of those coming in 2015. While he has never been overwhelming in pass rush - other than last season - Ayers is a good run stopping defensive end, which could have played perfectly into Miami's plans.