Charles Clay to Bills: Latest Contract Details, Comments and Reaction

The already top-heavy tight end market got a little thinner Thursday, as the Miami Dolphins declined to match the offer sheet Charles Clay signed with the Buffalo Bills. 

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk first reported the decision, with Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald confirming the news.

The Bills welcomed Clay to the team, via Twitter:

Adam Schefter of ESPN weighed in on the reasoning behind the move:

The tight end will be playing under a five-year, $38 million contract after the Dolphins failed to match his offer, per Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News.

Joe Buscaglia of WGR 550 provided a full breakdown of the numbers:

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According to official documents obtained by WGR Sports Radio 550, the five-year contract that could be worth as much as $38 million also carries a guaranteed $24.5 million for Clay, $10 million of which as a signing bonus that he receives up front. He'll receive a roster bonus of $10 million shortly into the start of the new league year in 2016, which along with the signing bonus, and base salaries for both the 2015 and 2016 seasons, make up the full $24.5 million guaranteed to him.

The cap hits for Clay, with the exception of the 2016 season, are fairly manageable. The tight end will carry cap numbers of $5 million in 2015, $13.5 million in 2016, and $6.5 million from 2017 through 2019. The contract also carries a no trade clause through the first three seasons.

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Clay, 26, spent his first four seasons in Miami. A sixth-round pick in 2011, Clay bided his time as a bit-part player for his first two years before emerging in 2013 and 2014. He has become one of the NFL's most reliable pass-catchers when the ball has gone his way, making 58 grabs for 605 yards and three touchdowns in 2014.

While those numbers were down from 2013, Clay underwent a sizable role change last season. Offensive coordinator Bill Lazor's system, which is similar to that of Eagles head coach Chip Kelly, does not regularly feature a tight end as a pass-catcher. Most short plays—the area where Clay thrives—are designed to get wide receivers out in space with blockers in front via screens and quick hitches.

Clay was also tasked with regularly lining up in the backfield rather than in the more standard tight end spot. That fell in line with Clay's initial reputation coming out of school—he was more of a blocker and an H-back type of tight end than a receiver. Pro Football Focus' measurements had Clay fourth among tight ends in drop rate last season.

"It hasn't been easy having so much going on and not being there for my teammates when I want to so bad. It has been a learning process that teaches me how much I love the game," Clay said last season of his role change, per Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

Charles Krupa/Associated Press

In Buffalo, Clay should be able to show his all-around skill set more often. Bills offensive coordinator Greg Roman uses much more of a traditional tight end alignment, and Clay's contract status alone should help swing more passes his way. He'll also be expected to continue his development as a blocker, which was at times abysmal in 2014. Pro Football Focus ranked Clay 16th among 19 qualifying tight ends in pass-blocking efficiency.

From an overall perspective, Clay was among the best tight ends available on the secondary market. Julius Thomas was bound to garner the most attention given his numbers in recent seasons, but one could argue Clay is every bit as talented as the oft-injured Jordan Cameron. He's certainly safer than either option, which is likely what pushed the Bills to make him such a sizable offer.

Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter.