It appears the Jacksonville Jaguars may be in the wrong when it comes to Branden Albert.
Reports are surfacing that the former Miami Dolphins left tackle was promised a new contract when the teams were negotiating a trade to bring Albert to Jacksonville to solve the Jaguars offensive line issues.
Omar Kelly, a Dolphins’ blogger for the Sun-Sentinel in South Florida took to his Twitter account. Kelly is claiming the promise of a new deal was to help “grease” the wheels of a trade. Before consummating the trade, Albert met with Jaguars brass in Jacksonville prior to the NFL Draft.
Per bigcatcountry.com, “As has been discussed, the Jaguars haven’t heard from offseason acquisition Branden Albert yet. Albert has been a no-show for voluntary offseason activities, and as Doug Marrone keeps noting, the team has yet to even speak to Albert regarding his absence.”
“No. Still. None,” Marrone told reporters Saturday during the team’s rookie camp. “Probably don’t expect him to (reach out) now.”
Neither sides have spoken since Albert announced he wasn’t attending the Jacksonville Jaguars’ “voluntary” team meetings earlier in the month. It seems as though both sides are waiting for the other to fold in a game of poker.
“The reasoning for Albert not receiving his new deal is unknown, so it’s a bit of a puzzle as to what’s going on between the two parties. It’s really not a big deal at this point, as Albert is only missing voluntary workouts,” Matt R. Hoffman points out in his story.
“Considering he is a 10-year veteran, I’m sure he’s well aware of how to keep himself in shape and be ready to go when the practices start counting.”
The Jacksonville Jaguars acquired Albert from the Dolphins for a seventh-round pick in 2018.
Albert, 32, signed a five-year, $47 million contract in 2014. Thus, he will earn $8.875 million in 2017 and $9.575 million in 2018. However, the Jaguars drafted Cam Robinson in the second round of last month’s NFL Draft. He is expecting to compete for the left tackle job. General Manager David Caldwell made this announcement following the pick. The Jacksonville Jaguars have not had a solid left tackle in the lineup since Tony Boselli left the team after the 2001 season. The Houston Texans selected Boselli in the expansion draft.
“I’ve had communication with Branden prior to (the trade),” Marrone said. “I have not had any communication with him (this week), which is a surprise. I don’t know what his thoughts are going forward. I can’t comment on that. Obviously, it’s voluntary, but I was surprised that I didn’t receive a call back from him.”
Many believe if Branden Albert does come to camp and wins the left tackle job; the Jaguars would move Robinson inside to play guard.