The Miami Dolphins declined to pick up the fifth-year option on linebacker Stephone Anthony’s rookie contract, effectively making the 2018 season the final year on his first deal. Why would the Dolphins trade for Anthony, sending the New Orleans Saints a fifth-year option in this past Draft, then appear to decline to keep him beyond this season? Why would they pick up the fifth-year option on fellow 2015 first-round pick DeVante Parker only to decline Anthony’s?
The answer is pretty simple. Money.
Picking up Anthony’s option would have made his 2019 salary around $9.