Dolphins lose Andrew Van Ginkel to Minnesota on two-year, $20 million deal, report
A rough day of free agency got much more rough for the Dolphins as edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel has agreed to terms with Minnesota, according to ESPN.
The deal reunites Van Ginkel with Brian Flores, the Vikings defensive coordinator and former Dolphins head coach.
Van Ginkel’s deal is reportedly a two-year contract worth $20 million with $14 million guaranteed.
Van Ginkel, a 2019 fifth-round pick, had a career-best 6.0 sacks last season and was expected to be Miami’s lead pass rusher as top edge rushers Bradley Chubb (knee) and Jaelan Phillips (Achilles) recover from injuries to open the year.
It’s been an incredibly rough day for the Dolphins, especially their defense which could conceivably have just two draftees in their starting lineup on opening day — safety Jevon Holland and cornerback Cam Smith, if he wins a starting job.
Teams could begin talking to players at noon Monday. Players and teams can agree to contract terms, but contracts can’t be signed until 4 p.m. Wednesday, which is the start of the new league year.
As soon as things got going Monday the Dolphins reportedly lost defensive tackle Christian Wilkins to Las Vegas on a four-year, $110 million deal and reportedly lost safety Brandon Jones to Denver on a three-year, $20 million deal.
Among offensive linemen that might have attracted interest from the Dolphins this offseason, Buffalo center Mitch Morse has reportedly agreed to terms with Jacksonville, Detroit guard Graham Glasgow has reportedly agreed to stay with the Lions, Detroit guard JonahJackson will reportedly join the Los Angeles Rams, Denver center Lloyd Cushenberry is reportedly going to Tennessee, and Dallas center Tyler Biadasz has reportedly agreed to terms with Washington.
The Dolphins were about $25 million over the $255.4 million salary cap for the 2024 season as of Sunday afternoon. They need to be cap compliant by 4 p.m. Wednesday.
Things have been coming together for the Dolphins recently.
Among the major moves and announcements are finding out left tackle Terron Armstead is returning, re-signing guard Robert Jones and safety Elijah Campbell, a couple of possible restricted free agents, and re-signing cornerback Nik Needham and punter Jake Bailey as well as signing tight end Jonnu Smith.
The Dolphins haven’t agreed to terms with defensive lineman Christian Wilkins on a new contract so he’ll become a free agent at 4 p.m. Wednesday.
The Dolphins released linebacker Jerome Baker, defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah, cornerbacks Xavien Howard (with a post-June 1 designation) and Keion Crossen, and parted ways with former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio before hiring new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, the former Baltimore assistant head coach and defensive line coach.
Relatively speaking, this is expected to be a calm offseason for the Dolphins, largely for financial reasons.
In the previous two offseasons Miami has hired coach Mike McDaniel, acquired high-profile players such as Armstead, wide receiver Tyreek Hill and cornerback Jalen Ramsey as well as acquiring Fangio.