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Miami Dolphins restructure Jerome Baker’s contract to make room for Bradley Chubb and Jeff Wilson Jr.

On Wednesday, the Miami Dolphins restructured linebacker Jerome Baker’s contract to make room for newly acquired pass-rusher Bradley Chubb and running back Jeff Wilson Jr. #FinsUp

Miami Dolphins vs Detroit Lions Photo by Jorge Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images

The Miami Dolphins made some big signings before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline, acquiring Pro Bowl pass-rusher Bradley Chubb from the Denver Broncos and running back Jeff Wilson Jr. from the San Francisco 49ers.

Miami had roughly $5 million in cap space (according to the Internet) before the deadline, which meant a move or two had to be made to free up some cap space. The first of those moves happened today when the Dolphins restructured linebacker Jerome Baker’s contract.

According to ESPN’s Field Yates, Baker’s cap hit after the restructure is $2.5 million for the 2022 season.

Yates tweeted this out a short time ago.

“To make room for their multiple trade deadline additions, the Dolphins needed to create cap space.

They did so by restructuring the contract of LB Jerome Baker, reducing his 2022 cap hit by about $2.5M.”

I’m no mathematician, but I think Spotrac is. And before the trade, they had Jerome Baker’s 2022 cap hit at $9.98M with a base salary of $6.58M. There’s also a way for the Dolphins to get out of Baker’s contract after the 2022 season if, for some reason, general manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel wanted to do that.

SPOTRAC

As for Chubb and Wilson Jr., late last night, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross sent his plane to personally pick up — and deliver — Miami’s newest playmakers to Davie.

Both players will be able to play Sunday vs. the Chicago Bears, but it is anyone’s guess as to how large of a role either player will have with a short week. Wilson has familiarity with Mike McDaniel’s offense. And for Chubb, it could be as simple as, “Hey, Brad; it’s third down; go get the quarterback!”

Whatever the case, the Dolphins got much better over the last 24 hours, adding to a team that has already proven they can go toe-to-toe with some of the AFC’s NFL’s finest.

Welcome to Miami, Chubb, and Wilson!

What are your thoughts on the Miami Dolphins landing Bradley Chubb and Jeff Wilson Jr. before the trade deadline? Do you like the Jerome Baker restructure? Is he a player you would keep around long-term? What kind of role do you see for Chubb and Wilson Sunday vs. the Chicago Bears? Let us know in the comments section below!