Grier said it was smart to let Robert Hunt ‘earn Free Agency’, so it must be smart for Jonah too?
The Miami Dolphins are no strangers to difficult contract decisions, and one question looming on the distant horizon gives clarification on a big decision of the past. Many agreed that it was ‘smart ball’ to let Robert Hunt ‘earn free agency’ because it was too pricey for ‘just an O-linemen’.
So, if that logic applies, then it should smart for Miami do the same with Jonah Savaiinaea in four years? And if not, then which decision was Chris Grier wrong about?
You can bet with the best pay per head that I’m being facetious because I don’t think letting Robert Hunt ‘Walk ‘earn free agency’ was smart. Considering what we are seeing from the rest of the league paying a premium for top offensive linemen, they agree too.
The point is, Grier was wrong and many in the fanbase agreed but are feeling buyer’s remorse now for going along with that media narrative. Given how oily Grier is skating responsibility, I figured I’d start the ball rolling early.
It’s time we are all clear, it was foolish then, and if Jonah is as good as Hunt, it will be wrong letting him walk too.
A trip down memory lane
Let’s take a quick trip down memory lane.
In 2023, the Dolphins decided to part ways with Robert Hunt, their promising offensive lineman, after being unable to come to an agreement on his contract extension. The reasoning? Well, some believed Hunt would be too expensive to re-sign. After all, he was ‘just an offensive line and not worth that type of money’. Unfortunately, the ‘unimportant blockers’ market has skyrocketed, across the NFL, and Hunt’s demands were right in line with all top offensive linemen.
Grier was wrong–again.
We see now, the offensive line market inflated because of how critical they are to a team’s success. How foolish was Grier? Every top team is paying something similar or will pay something similar to keep their top offensive linemen. So, if Grier was right then we shouldn’t change course. Right?
Penny wise and dollar foolish has been Grier’s motto– and never admitting his mistakes.
Hunt had an excellent season with another team, and the Dolphins are still trying to solidify their offensive front and will have the same situation in a few years.
In a few years top guards will likely be making close to $30 million per
Now, with Savaiinaea, the question looms: Will Miami make the same mistake twice? The market for offensive linemen is already sky-high, and projections suggest it will continue to climb. Teams that need to protect their quarterbacks are increasingly paying top dollar for offensive line help, and Savaiinaea, with his potential to be a cornerstone for the Dolphins, will likely want a lucrative deal when the time comes.
If Hunt walking was the right move then, then the Dolphins should approach negotiating with Savaiinaea or Paul, who could command even more, the same way?
Of course, we’ll sign them–we’d better if his play is worth it.
But we should go back and be clear that Grier screwed up with Hunt and many carried his stale water. So, when and if we sign Jonah or Paul, we should break out that old storyline, dust it off, and hand out dunce caps accordingly.
Hopefully Grier is gone and another, smarter, General Manager is here to handle the big boy decisions, and we can all have a laugh at Grier’s expense.
Whoever is in charge they’d better be smart enough to not to let a good offensive linemen ‘earn free agency’. Fingers crossed! Go Phins!!!