Jerome Baker is now cemented into the Phins future
The Miami Dolphins have once again rewarded one of their own before the player hit the free-agent market. Linebacker Jerome Baker is now the 11th player to sign a contract extension with the team since the start of 2019. Baker would have been a free agent after this upcoming season, but Miami instead locked him up on a 3 year deal worth $39 million with $28 million guaranteed.
Some pay per head sites are saying the Dolphins may have overpaid for him, but Baker has been a consistent and productive starter for the Dolphins since they drafted him in 2018. If Baker puts in another quality performance this season, his contract would be worth far more next year if Miami wanted to resign him.
Early bird gets the worm.
Flores mentioned Baker as a key player very early on
I have talked about this before, I like the fact that this regime rewards their own in-house draft picks with contract extensions before they even get a chance to get to the free-agent market. This just gives other younger players, especially our young draft picks, which we have many of, the motivation to work hard and improve because they can get the chance to get a second contract in Miami.
I feel this was a good extension. Baker has played in all 48 games since he has been drafted in 2018, had two seasons with 100 plus tackles, and last year was a big part of our pass rush with 7 sacks. Also, he has 4 career-forced fumbles, 10 passes defended, 2 interceptions, and a touchdown. Baker (selected in the 3rd round of the 2018 draft) was always the better selection compared to fellow Buckeye Linebacker Raekwon McMillan who we selected in the 2nd round in 2017.
Baker is the prototype of the modern linebacker
Baker has that hustle and hardworking attitude that this regime craves. If Baker can match his stats from last year, then the new contract was easily worth it. Obviously, the idea is that he’s young and more accustomed to this defense and his role in it, so he’ll have every opportunity to improve in 2021.
Is Gesicki next?
Now, the next big name in the last year of his rookie contract is Tight End Mike Gesicki. Personally, I really like Gesicki and feel he has Pro Bowl potential. If he continues to improve and stays in Miami he could be the best pass-catching Tight End in Dolphins history. Sure those are some high praise but Gesicki has gotten better each year, and still has more upside.
However, Miami did use a valuable draft pick to select Hunter Long, which could be a foreshadowing, to move on without Gesicki. The main reason they probably wouldn’t resign Gesicki is price. If he has a Pro Bowl type year this season, and Miami doesn’t lock him up before he hits the free-agent market, then this regime may not want to pay him as much as he wants or even deserves. Time will tell, but hopefully, Miami can also keep Gesicki in town for years to come as well.
