Dolphins expected to sign 4-sack former Steelers linebacker in “bargain” deal
Markus Golden is thought to be a useful addition to the Miami Dolphins. He was most recently a player for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Dolphins were the team that David Kenyon of Bleacher Report said will sign Golden in his list of teams looking to fill voids with cheap free agent contracts. Kenyon gets him to sign a $1.5 million one-year contract.
The Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons were also suggested by Kenyon as “several landing spots.”
“Bargains don’t have to turn into unexpected failures. Markus Golden’s finest work is probably in the past, but he can still be a useful pass-rusher. He only played 22% of the snaps in Pittsburgh last season.
He managed four sacks, adding a fifth in the postseason, demonstrating his ability to provide strong depth at a crucial position.
“At this point, Golden’s primary concern is deciding between playing time and a postseason run. If the former, the Denver Broncos are a desirable destination; if the latter, there are a number of logical landing locations, including the Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons. Take it as a hint that the 33-year-old, who has played in four playoff games in his career, is hoping to win a Super Bowl.
In 2023, Golden—a former 2015 second-round selection—had four sacks for the Steelers.
Dolphins Need Edge Rushers
The Miami Dolphins are dealing with injuries heading into next season. Jaelan Phillips is recovering from an Achilles injury and Bradley Chubb is recovering from an ACL injury. It’s uncertain if both players will return at the start of the season.
After an impressive offseason, landing Shaquil Barrett, Jordyn Brooks, and others, there’s still a need for another edge rusher, according to Joe Schad of The Palm Beach Post.
“The Miami Dolphins can’t know for sure when Jaelan Phillips (Achilles) or Bradley Chubb (ACL) will return next season. Miami signed veteran pass rusher Shaq Barrett from the Bucs. And Barrett and the Dolphins believe there is something left in his 31-year-old tank.
“But Miami doesn’t have much beyond Barrett. Unproven Quinton Bell, Zeke Vandenburgh and Cameron Goode return but Goode is also coming off a season-ending knee injury. Emmanuel Ogbah was cut. Andrew Van Ginkel signed with the Minnesota Vikings. Miami must add at least two edges in the draft and/or late-wave free agency.”
The former Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher could be an option if the Dolphins don’t address it in the draft.
How Golden Would Help the Dolphins
Despite playing limited snaps with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Golden proved with his four sacks that at the very least, he could still make plays. In the 2021 season, he showed that he was still one of the best in football getting to the quarterback, finishing with 11 sacks for the Arizona Cardinals.
The Miami Dolphins could use all the depth they can get after losing multiple defensive players to free agency. The Dolphins will also have a new defensive coordinator in Anthony Weaver.
Golden would be a depth piece and for the $1.5 million that Kenyon predicts him to sign, there wouldn’t be much of a financial risk for the Dolphins.
