The Miami Dolphins have placed the transition tag on Olivier Vernon, guaranteeing him $12.73 million for the 2016 season, and giving the team a right to match any deal another team offers him when free agency begins on March 7.
The decision, which needed to be made by the NFL's Tuesday's 4 p.m. deadline, benefits both sides because it sets price point for Vernon to begin negotiations on a long-term deal, and increases the odds of Miami retaining the former University of Miami standout.
Both the Dolphins and Vernon's agent, David Canter, a South Florida based agent, would rather hammer out a multi-year deal for this three year starter, who is universally viewed as one of the top 20 impending free agents in the 2016 crop of talent that might become available.