After the Miami Dolphins opted to place the franchise tag on tight end Mike Gesicki, there was a large contingent of the fanbase that believed that would spell the end of Durham Smythe in Miami.
However, Smythe re-signed with the Dolphins just days after free agency opened, and it was reported by none other than his best friend, Gesicki.
Smythe has been the second tight end in Miami’s offense, and in 2021, he set career-highs in receptions (34) and receiving yards (357). That growth with his increased opportunities would have made him a clear target to re-sign, but with the Dolphins spending a third-round pick on Hunter Long in the 2021 draft, it was believed that the former Fighting Irish would be replaced by a younger, cheaper option.
The contract that Smythe signed this offseason is for two years and is worth $7 million in total. He will make $5.25 million in salary over the next two seasons ($2 million in 2022 and $3.25 million in 2023) with the entirety of his 2022 salary being guaranteed. Smythe also received a $1.5 million signing bonus and is set to earn $250,000 worth of per-game roster bonuses in 2023.
After this season, if Long takes a step up and proves he could be the second tight end, Miami could move on from Smythe before the 2023 season and incur only $750,000 (the prorated signing bonus) in dead money.
At this point, the Dolphins are just well prepared for something to happen to their tight end group.
