Olivier Vernon Agrees to Contract with New York Giants

The Miami Dolphins placed the transition tag on defensive end Olivier Vernon earlier in March but decided to allow Vernon to become a free agent after agreeing to terms with Mario Williams, per Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

Now, Vernon is on the move after agreeing to a major contract.

Continue for updates.

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Vernon Signs with Giants

Wednesday, March 9

Vernon is headed to the New York Giants, per Adam Schefter of ESPN and Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports. 

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported the deal is worth $85 million over five years with $52.5 million guaranteed.

Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports first reported on Monday that the Giants were interested in Vernon.

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Jaguars Were Interested in Vernon

Wednesday, March 9

Jeff Darlington of NFL Network reported the Jacksonville Jaguars were involved with Vernon since his transitional tag was reportedly removed.

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Dolphins Reportedly Remove Vernon's Transition Tag

Wednesday, March 9

ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Albert Breer reported the Dolphins pulled Vernon's transition tag, allowing him to become a free agent. Schefter expects Vernon "will command big dollars."  

Breer added: "Miami can get a 2017 comp pick for [Vernon] now—which could be as high as a third-rounder. Couldn't if he had the tag on him." 

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Vernon Comments on Status with Dolphins

Wednesday, March 9

Vernon posted a column on The MMQB revealing that he likely won't be re-signing with the Dolphins:

"

I honestly thought the Dolphins and I would be able to work out a deal. I thought we would find something to agree on. So I didn’t know I was going to hit the free agent market until the day I got the transition tag. It all came down to the stipulations with the salary cap in Miami; they don’t have much room to maneuver. Once I understood that, it started to sink in a little bit, that I probably won’t be here. I’m 25 years old, and for the first time in my life I probably won’t be playing football in Miami.

"

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Market 'Robust' for Vernon

Monday, March 7

Robinson reported the Oakland Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars, Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans were all possible destinations for Vernon.

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Vernon Has Earned Big-Money Deal

The 25-year-old logged 7.5 sacks and 61 combined tackles last season and, per Spotrac, stands to make $12.734 million in salary for the 2016 campaign.

A native of Miami, Vernon thrived playing for his hometown team. He has done enough to earn a multiyear payday, and since the Dolphins have lost him, they'll be down a key pass-rusher from a team that finished tied for 25th with only 31 sacks in 2015.

League Rank	Team	Cap Space
1	Jacksonville Jaguars	$83,236,096
2	Oakland Raiders	$65,387,576
3	San Francisco 49ers	$62,929,755
4	New York Giants	$56,629,617
5	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	$53,708,192
6	Tennessee Titans	$47,747,324
9	Cleveland Browns	$42,258,470
22	Miami Dolphins	$19,419,619

Salary cap information courtesy of Spotrac.com.