Both are reporting any deal would be contingent on the two players restructuring their existing contracts.
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Miami and Jacksonville are also working to complete a trade that would send a 2018 seventh-round pick from the Jaguars in exchange for Dolphins left tackle Branden Albert.
The return piece for Thomas does come with some risks for Jacksonville after Albert had a similar season of regression in 2016 with the Dolphins to force his way out of Miami. He will meet with Miami on Tuesday and take a physical according to reports. Not sure exactly why.
The Jaguars will likely pursue the Florida native very strongly if he gets to the market, which means the Giants could be outbid due to their limited salary cap space.
The Miami Dolphins appear to have made one of the first substantial moves of the National Football League offseason.
If both sides could work out a deal financially, a trade would reunite Thomas with his former offensive coordinator, Dolphins head coach Adam Gase. The biggest issue with Thomas is his health. Thomas’s two Pro-Bowl seasons coincided with the years Gase served as OC. Tight end Ben Koyack could be asked to build on a solid rookie campaign for the Jaguars as Thomas’ replacement. The Dolphins reportedly planned on cutting Albert, a 2015 Pro Bowler, last week before being informed of the Jaguars’ interest in the 32-year-old.
In another salary cap-shaving move, the Jaguars are planning to cut defensive tackle Jared Odrick. Miami will now be on the hook for that contract, but the potential production from Thomas could make it a fair deal.
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And the Jaguars move an unproductive tight end who was set to make $8.2 million next season off their roster, and bring in a player who can help stabilize a line that needs it. The Dolphins would save all but $2.4 million if he is released next off-season.
