Report: Jaguars' Thomas to be traded to Dolphins in separate deal
After reportedly agreeing to acquire Miami Dolphins left tackle Branden Albert for a late 2018 draft pick, the Jacksonville Jaguars will also trade tight end Julius Thomas to Miami, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Thomas will reportedly be exchanged for a 2017 seventh-round pick in a separate deal between the two teams.
Albert and Thomas were rumored to be close to being traded for each other on Sunday before Albert was dealt to the Jaguars Monday. It was reported Thomas was left out of the trade, but another agreement was reached later Monday afternoon, sending the veteran tight end to Miami.
As part of the trade, Thomas agreed to restructure the remaining three years of the five-year, $46-million deal he signed with the Jaguars back in 2015, sources told Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald.
Thomas had cap hits of $8.3 million in 2017, $9.8 million in 2018 and $10.3 million in 2019, but those numbers have been cut "significantly." However, much of the money can be earned back through incentives added to his deal.
The 28-year-old had his best seasons under Dolphins head coach Adam Gase when the two worked together as members of the Denver Broncos during the 2013 and 2014 seasons. Thomas caught 12 touchdowns in each of the two campaigns.
Thomas was signed to the Jaguars as a prized free agent, but has struggled to live up to the hype, totaling nine touchdowns and 990 yards over two seasons.
Jacksonville isn't completely alleviating itself of cap issues, as Albert brings a sizeable cap hit of his own after signing a five-year, $47-million contract in 2014, but he will fill the need for a veteran presence on the offensive line.
The Jaguars did give themselves some cap relief Monday, releasing defensive end Jared Odrick to free up $8.5 million.
Because trades cannot be made official until March 9, either team can back out of their agreements without repercussion.