NFL Rumors: Miami Dolphins Must Sign Matt Flynn Before Market Changes

Matt Flynn went from the free-agent quarterback du jour this offseason to an afterthought, all in the matter of one Peyton Manning release.

And that's how it should be.

Still, the market for Flynn has collapsed more than expected, and with Flynn set to visit with the Miami Dolphins on Friday and the team essentially out of the Manning sweepstakes at this point, the time to pounce on Flynn is now.

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Filed to ESPN: Dolphins have arranged for Matt Flynn to visit Miami after his visit to Seattle. Miami's chances of landing Peyton dwindling.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 15, 2012"

This comes on the heels of several developments in the courtship of Flynn. For one, the Cleveland Browns aren't interested.

The Seattle Seahawks likely won't offer him starter's money, though that could also be a negotiating ploy.

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If/when Matt Flynn's visit to Seattle concludes, he has a trip planned to Miami. We'll see if he makes it to South Florida #freeagency

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 15, 2012"

If Flynn does indeed make it to Miami, the Dolphins need to make sure he doesn't leave. It would seem the two teams most likely to pursue him at this point are the Dolphins and Seahawks, but the last thing Miami should want is another team suddenly entering the mix.

The Dolphins have a natural selling point in head coach Joe Philbin, who was Flynn's offensive coordinator with the Green Bay Packers. The team can sell a rebuilding plan with Flynn as the centerpiece of that effort.

And c'mon—wouldn't you choose Miami's weather over the rain in Seattle? Flynn grew up in Texas and went to LSU, after all.

One way or another, the Dolphins need to strike now. Losing out on Peyton Manning is one thing. But allowing both Manning and Flynn to slip through their fingers?

That would make for a very long 2012.

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