Miami Dolphins place transition tag on Olivier Vernon

Credited with 81 total pressures by PFF, Vernon managed 7.5 sacks this past year and has 29 sacks in his career. If Vernon signs the Dolphins transition tag, he will be entitled to $12.734 million in fully guaranteed money in 2016. With the franchise tag, he’d have to play for only Miami.

The transition tag designation means that other teams can still negotiate with Vernon and come to terms on a contract, though the Dolphins have the right to match that offer and retain the defensive end. The $3 million difference isn’t insignicant for the Dolphins, who won’t have a ton of cap flexibility this offseason.

According to rumors, the Rams aren’t offering him more than $8 million a season on the proposed deal, while Jenkins is looking for at least $10.5 million a season, and maybe even something closer to $12 million a season.

The tag used by Miami is the same one it used previous year on Charles Clay. The Dolphins have the right to match any contract Vernon is offered, but it’s no sure bet they will.

Miami should allow the market to determine what Vernon makes, not the fear of losing him.

If Miami does not match an offer sheet on Vernon, it would receive no compensation. Over the past three seasons, Vernon has 25 1-2 sacks.

After weeklong discussions between Vernon and the team, the two sides could not agree on a long-term deal that would avert a free-agency standoff.

Things will get very interesting in another week when the league new year and free agency begins.