Where’s Dion Jordan: The Answer Will Cost $3,068,923

With 5 days before camp starts, Miami is wondering where’s Dion Jordan.

“Where’s Dion Jordan” is more than a question about his reinstatement status.

If the Dolphins want to find out “where’s Dion Jordan”, it will cost them $3,068,923 to find out the answer. On a “good” note, the money spent to crack this enigma will buy them three answers for the price of one.

Currently, Miami is on the hook for $1,378,714 – regardless of his reinstatement. If he is activated and not cut, Miami will owe Jordan a roster bonus of $1,690,209 by the fifth day of training camp. That sum total of $3,068,923 would rank him as the 12th highest paid Dolphin in 2016.

The first answer to the question of “where’s Dion Jordan” will be easy for Miami ( if the NFL rescinds the suspension on him, of course): Jordan’s location will be at the Dolphins training camp with sights set on making it to the 5th day in order to collect near 1.7 million.

The second answer isn’t so certain at this point and will take a little more time to conclude, but not much more than a day or two. “Where’s Jordan” with regards to his fitness: was he serious about his conditioning and does he have the athletic ability at this stage to cover from the SLB spot?

Both of these answers can be had prior to the 5th day of camp without paying one red cent more.

Miami will almost certainly proceed up to this point.

But, it’s the third answer, the most important one that will take time, and more than likely force Miami to go all in with the roster bonus to find out “where’s Jordan” in regard to his mental status.

This question is a little tricky as it comes in two parts.

How well will he digest the playbook? With having zero contact with Miami, he will basically walk into camp knowing the sum total of zilch about the system and his job within it. A true professional, a smart guy could warp speed it and catch up – but the former is highly in question, and the latter, I have no idea. But, Miami will already have some indication – but, Adam Gase and Co will need to get a first hand account. This problem will impede an early evaluation.

Where’s Dion Jordan in regards to his passion for the game?

It’s the second part of the third answer that everything else hinges on – does he really want to play?

While we know P.E.Ds were the cause of his first suspension, we don’t know what drugs he took for his most recent suspension, as it was a diluted urine sample that resulted in failed test. So, in all fairness, you can’t question,”will he have the willpower to stay off the weed or the blow?” Although, you could fairly question, “can he be a top athlete with size and speed without P.E.Ds.”

But, the most crucial component that we, or more importantly the Dolphins don’t know, is where’s Jordan’s heart and mind really at? The true intentions of his motivation can be covered with the motive of greed – but that motivation will wear off quickly and at the worst time for Miami.

This question of his motivation takes root in Jordan’s slowness to file for reinstatement. He was eligible to apply for reinstatement in late April and didn’t start the process until June, which Sun Sentinel states, “sources say raised a number of red flags inside the organization”.

It doesn’t take a football gambling expert to bet that his delay is a troubling sign.

The NFL has certainly dragged it’s feet in his reinstatement. This might be done to protect both Miami and Jordan as the extra time will force Jordan realize how close he is to being done in the NFL, while also forcing him to not rest on his laurels and find trouble in “down-time.”

But, in regards to the NFL’s motivation, your guess is as good as mine.

With the Miami Dolphins near 16 million under the cap, I suspect they will take a chance on Jordan as it could pay off big. Will it pan out? I have no clue. I suspect the Dolphins don’t know either. Dion Jordan will be one of the many “IF’s” and interesting subplots that make this one of the most exciting training camps in a long time. But, one way or the other, everyone will soon find out “where’s Dion Jordan.” Go Fins!!!