NFL rumors: Dolphins could steal former division rival in free agency

The Miami Dolphins have interest from a big free agent who just so happens to have spent the past six seasons in the AFC East division.

The Miami Dolphins made it to the playoffs for the first time since 2016 in head coach Mike McDaniel’s first year on the job. In the Wild Card Round, they put up a fight against the Buffalo Bills even with third-string quarterback Skylar Thompson starting, but narrowly lost 34-31. Now, they have an important offseason ahead of them, as they look to push themselves ahead of the Bills in the AFC East. That starts officially with free agency.

As it turns out, there is a division rival who had some interesting comments about the Dolphins.

During the latest episode of his podcast, Bills safety and impending free agent Jordan Poyer expressed his interest in joining the Dolphins. He mentions that he is friends with Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, and mentions that he is going to his birthday party.

Bills safety Jordan Poyer expresses interest in signing with Dolphins

“Shoutout to you, Tua. Happy birthday, brother. I’ll be there with my wife at your birthday party on Saturday night. I don’t know who else will be there,” Poyer said, h/t NewYorkUpstate.com. “You know… It would be crazy to stay in the (AFC) East and come down here to South Florida. I might have to put my best suit on. Put a nice little tie on. I know (Dolphins head coach) Mike McDaniel will be in there… We’ll see who’s over there.”

In the latest episode of “The Jordan Poyer Podcast,” the safety brings up that he would like to go to a state that won’t “take half [his] money,” in reference to state income tax. Florida doesn’t have a state income tax.

The veteran safety also brought up that he was on the Cleveland Browns with McDaniel. Poyer had been on the Browns from 2013 and 2016, while McDaniel was a wide receivers coach for the team in the 2014 season.

Poyer joined the Bills back in the 2017 season on a four-year deal before signing a two-year extension during the 2019 campaign. This past season, in his contract year, Poyer made it to the Pro Bowl for the first time of his career, after he recorded 63 combined tackles (44 solo, 19 assisted), eight passes defensed, four interceptions, and one forced fumble in 12 games. In coverage, Poyer allowed 21 receptions for 146 yards and two touchdowns on 31 targets, per Pro Football Reference.

In his six seasons with the Bills, Poyer recorded 582 combined tackles (408 yards, 174 assisted), 44 passes defensed, 22 interceptions, 10 sacks, seven forced fumbles, and six fumble recoveries.

Poyer is set to be one of the top safeties available in free agency. When it comes to teams to keep an eye on, the Dolphins are definitely one, considering Poyer’s comments on the latest episode of his podcast.