Michael Thomas signs RFA tender, reports to offseason training program

The Miami Dolphins reported for the start of the offseason training program on Monday, officially beginning their preparation for the 2017 NFL season. The nine-week program is voluntary, other than the one mandatory veteran minicamp in mid-June, but coaches try to get all of their players into the building and started into the strength and conditioning portion of the program.

The offseason program is usually the time of year where holdouts begin, with players signaling their unhappiness with their current contract. On Monday, however, the opposite happened for Miami, with special teams captain Michael Thomas signing his restricted free-agent tender so he can take part in the offseason program, according to multiple media reports.

According to the Miami Herald’s Adam Beasley, Thomas turned down multiple other teams who had shown interest in signing the safety, including at least one contract offer for a three-year deal. Thomas' 2017 contract - based on the restricted free agent tender - will be a one-year, $1.8 million deal.

Thomas, who was tied for the second-most special teams tackles in the NFL last year, also saw extended time as a safety when injuries sidelined both Reshad Jones and Isa Abdul-Quddus. Playing on defense in all 16 games, Thomas started eight at safety, recording 39 tackles, one pass defensed, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and a sack for the season. Thomas also saw extended playing time and starts in 2015 when he filled in for an injured Louis Delmas, starting 12 games that year, recording a career high 71 tackles.

Miami still is waiting for restricted free agent running back Damien Williams to either sign an offer sheet from another team or sign his tender. The deadline for RFAs to sign offer sheets in April 21. Williams has reportedly met with the New England Patriots this offseason.