Jarvis Landry reports for offseason program despite desire for new contract

The offseason training program around the NFL is typically a time for players unhappy with their current contract to skip the voluntary workouts as a sign of a potential training camp workout. With no fines possible, the offseason training program is a perfect way to send a signal to an organization that something needs to be done to get the player back into the workouts and team meetings. For the Miami Dolphins, there was some concern (from outside the organization) that wide receiver Jarvis Landry, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract, could skip the voluntary workouts, trying to force the team’s hand in signing him to a new deal.

That did not happen, however, as Monday, with the team opening the offseason program, Landry was present.

Reports earlier this offseason had indicated Landry told the coaches he would be present for the offseason workouts, and, in March, head coach Adam Gase expressed confidence that Landry would show up.

Last year, safety Reshad Jones skipped the start of the offseason training program as he looked for a new contract. The team eventually convinced him to return, saying they would take care of the contract later. Jones signed a new contract this offseason.

Interestingly, former Dolphins offensive tackle Branden Albert, who the team traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason, appears to be skipping his new team’s training program as he looks for a new contract. The thought at the time of the trade was that a new deal had already been reached between Albert and the Jaguars as part of the conditions that led to the roster moves.

Landry, who is coming off his second-straight Pro Bowl season and is tied with Odell Beckham, Jr. for the most receptions in NFL history for a player in his first three seasons, is scheduled to account for a $1.1 million cap hit for the Dolphins this year. He is expected to sign a contract that would pay him between $10- and $12-million annually on his next deal. That could put him in the top ten annual salaries for wide receivers.

Now that Landry is doing what he said, showing up to workouts and not making a big deal to the media about his new contract, it is time for the Dolphins to do their part and work out the extension.