Miami's GM shut down trade rumors as the Dolphins look to lock up a pillar in their running back room.
The Miami Dolphins are setting the tone ahead of the NFL draft and making their priorities known regarding their star back. Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan made the team’s stance clear on running back De'Von Achane on Wednesday: “He’s not available for trade.” Miami is firm in their commitment to the homegrown star and working to extend him, as the former Texas A&M Aggie is in his final year of his rookie contract. Both sides are quite motivated to get a new deal done. Since March, the Dolphins have made it clear that an extension for a “pillar” of their franchise is a priority this offseason.
Now, of course teams are publicly going to say that things are going well, or in the right direction, but it seems like progress and optimism is to be had in Miami versus, say, somewhere in New York with the Giants and Dexter Lawrence. And Achane is worth it to the Dolphins after a career season. He rushed for a career-high 1,350 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns, earning Pro Bowl honors for the first time in his career since being selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft. Achane has led all skill players with 5.6 yards per carry since he entered the league and is also seventh in the league with 98.5 scrimmage yards per game.
Here is the full story from Dolphins Roundtable writer Ricardo Sandoval on the GM’s comments and his doubling down on their refusal to trade Achane.
Miami will have to look at the market, which has seen Travis Etienne Jr. sign a four-year, $48 million deal with the New Orleans Saints and Kenneth Walker III sign a three-year, $43 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs. Stars Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs and Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson are also up for extensions. The Dolphins would certainly like to lock up Achane before either of those two get deals done.