The Dolphins are tagging Olivier Vernon, but it’s the rarely-used transition tag.
That means the Dolphins will pay Vernon $12.7 million in 2016 but other teams can still negotiate with him.
If he signs a long-term deal worth more money, the Dolphins would have seven days to match or top it.
If they don’t, he’ll walk.
The Dolphins lost tight end Charles Clay last year after Buffalo signed him to a long-term deal. That was the only other time they’ve used the transition tag, and it’s not used often in the NFL.