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The Miami Dolphins have placed a restricted free agent qualifying offer on Kiko Alonso, using the first-round, $3.91 million tender before he hit the open free-agent market. The team is expected to continue to work on a long-term contract with Alonso, something they had hoped to have completed prior to using the tender.
Miami Dolphins are giving LB Kiko Alonso a first-round tender at $3.91 million, per league source. Alonso not going anywhere in 2017.
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) March 9, 2017
Alonso was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. After an incredible rookie season, which included 159 tackles, four interceptions, five passes defensed, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and two sacks, Alonso missed his entire sophomore season with a torn ACL he sustained during an offseason workout. He was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2015 offseason, spending one season with the Eagles, where he played in 11 games with one start, recording 43 tackles and one interception.
The Dolphins acquired Alonso in the 2016 offseason as part of the trade that also brought cornerback Byron Maxwell to Miami from the Eagles. He played in 15 games, all starts, missing one due to a broken thumb, and recorded 114 tackles, two interceptions with a touchdown, four passes defensed, one forced fumble and four fumble recoveries.
He played middle linebacker for the Dolphins, a position he has said he would like to play again in 2017, though the team has floated the idea of moving him to an outside position if they sign or draft a middle linebacker this offseason.