Three wins for the Miami Dolphins from their four-year contract extension with star running back De’Von Achane
Some of the wins for RB De’Von Achane are obvious. Where are the wins for the Miami Dolphins franchise in their new deal with their star running back?
De’Von Achane‘s monster contract extension with the Miami Dolphins has been a long time in the works.
General manager Jon-Eric Sullivan has insisted that this was in the cards. But after some other dramatic roster moves, it was “wait and see” for much of the fanbase. There’s no need for that apprehension anymore — as Achane as secured a four-year extension to stay with the Dolphins. Achane has up to 68 million reasons to be happy. But what about the Dolphins?
Contract negotiations are all about finding middle ground. Where should Miami feel good about this outcome? Here are three wins for the franchise amid their new deal with De’Von Achane.
Three wins for the Miami Dolphins in their new contract extension with RB De’Von Achane
1. Getting a fourth year on the contract
De’Von Achane is just 24 years old and has 2026 on his rookie contract. He, very easily, could have been hoping to get a three year deal with a chance to get a third contract in ahead of the dreaded age wall that comes for so many backs at 30 years old.
Instead, Miami gets the fourth year added on to the deal, which will keep Achane under contract with the Miami Dolphins through the end of 2030. He’ll be 29 when he’s scheduled for free agency once again. Here’s hoping there’s another extension awaiting these two teams before that ever happens…because that would mean the next three years go exceptionally well for everyone involved.
Any time you can grab an extra year of player control, it’s a win.
2. The annual average checking in closer to Derrick Henry than Christian McCaffrey
Christian McCaffrey’s annual average is $19 million per season. Derrick Henry’s is $15 million. De’Von Achane’s base value of this contract is four years for $64 million —making it $16 million per year, plus incentives. Getting a price point shaded that much closer to Derrick Henry amid this frantic explosion of the salary cap is a win for the Miami Dolphins. Achane getting closer to $18 million would not have been a surprise at all, at least to me.
Achane now sits atop the second tier of paid running backs instead of bridging the gap between the two groups.
3. Getting this signed before either Bijan Robinson or Jahmyr Gibbs finalizes a deal
Let’s call it how it is here: getting a deal done before either Robinson or Gibbs is a win for Miami. Those two have consecutive 1,800 yard from scrimmage seasons with their respective teams and boast first-round pedigrees. They’re fixing to get the bag, too.
Had Miami gone after those two players, Achane’s price point is likely higher. Good thing they’ve avoided that mess altogether by simply getting this deal done.
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