Dolphins trade for Julius Thomas breaks down over contract terms

The Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars have spent the weekend working out a trade that would send left tackle Branden Albert from South Florida up I-95 to Duval County. Originally, the trade compensation for the Dolphins was thought to be tight end Julius Thomas, who would reunite with his former Denver Broncos offensive coordinator in Miami head coach Adam Gase. However, reports Monday have indicated that any trade to which both teams (and Albert) finally agree will be for a draft pick, not for Thomas.

What changed?

According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, the Albert-for-Thomas trade broke down because Miami and Thomas could not come to an agreement on a new contract. Thomas signed a five-year, $46-million with the Jaguars as a free agent in 2015.

Rapoport does point out that there is still time for Miami, Jacksonville, and Thomas to come to an agreement that would complete the second-half of what appears to now be a two-part trade. Any deal, to include the Albert trade, cannot be finalized until the new league year begins on March 9. Miami and Thomas, assuming the Jaguars allow it, could continue to discuss a potential new contract until either side feels there is no progress being made.

Miami needs to find tight end help this offseason, with both Jordan Cameron and Dion Sims scheduled to hit free agency in the new league year.