T.J. McDonald, Dolphins Agree to 1-Year Contract Despite 8-Game Suspension

T.J. McDonald spent the first four years of his career with the Los Angeles Rams, but he decided to move on Friday when he signed a one-year deal at the minimum salary with the Miami Dolphins, the team announced. He'll have to serve an eight-game suspension for violating the league substance abuse policy before making his Dolphins debut, though.

James Walker of ESPN first reported the signing. Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald confirmed the contract details.

Salguero provided further details about Miami's addition:

McDonald had been a staple of the Rams' defensive backfield for the past four seasons at strong safety, and he played a secondary-high 1,072 snaps last season while appearing in all 16 games, according to Pro Football Focus' Matt Claassen. 

Throughout his fourth campaign with the Rams, McDonald posted 62 total tackles, one sack, six defended passes and a career-high two interceptions for a Los Angeles defense that ranked 10th in passing yards per game (233.3). 

Season	Games	Total Tackles	Sacks	Passes Defended
2013	10	52	1.0	4
2014	16	105	2.0	7
2015	11	62	1.0	1
2016	16	62	1.0	6

And while the Rams generally sputtered throughout the 2016 season, finishing 4-12, McDonald expressed a desire to return to Hollywood. 

"I always like to finish what I start," he said, per ESPN.com's Alden Gonzalez. "I started something here. We have started to build something here. On the defensive side of the ball, we feel like we’re starting something great here."

However, McDonald decided to leave Southern California for fresh surroundings. 

Now a member of the Dolphins, McDonald will slot in next to starting strong safety Reshad Jones and try to provide physical reinforcements in center field.

And while he does have work to do when it comes to discipline in coverage, McDonald should continue to operate as a tone-setter based on the way he hits in the open field and rallies to the ball at the line of scrimmage.