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Dolphins quiet at NFL trade deadline as team prepares for Chiefs in Germany

David Furones, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
·3 min read

FRANKFURT, Germany — There won’t be an NFL player that unexpectedly learns he has been traded to the Miami Dolphins and suddenly has to catch an international flight to meet the team in Germany.

The Dolphins were quiet at Tuesday’s 4 p.m. NFL trade deadline as they traveled to Frankfurt from Monday evening to Tuesday morning for a week of practice ahead of Sunday’s showdown of the AFC’s top two teams between them and the Kansas City Chiefs.

General manager Chris Grier, always known to look for and inquire about trade opportunities, in staying put, exhibited a confidence in the status quo of his roster as one built to contend this season without the need to jeopardize future draft capital for midseason help.

One move that was made in the offseason can essentially count as a trade-deadline acquisition, though. The Dolphins pulled off a trade with the Los Angeles Rams before the start of 2023 free agency for six-time Pro Bowl, three-time All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey. After he tore the meniscus in his left knee at the start of training camp, Ramsey debuted for the Dolphins in Sunday’s win over the New England Patriots after a three-month recovery.

Meanwhile, the Dolphins made their way to Frankfurt on deadline day. Coach Mike McDaniel said Sunday he wanted to arrive overseas early so players can get their Tuesday off day to explore the city before getting to work in preparation for the Chiefs.

“You have a player day off, why don’t you use that to see the sights as opposed to getting there late?” McDaniel said. “I was kind of nervous about people trying to cram in sightseeing. I think it provides an opportunity to go as a team, spend time together, spend the player day off together, and further cement some memories for us to hold on to as we progress on this journey with this team.”

The Dolphins made social media posts displaying the arduous packing process involved in getting an entire football team across the Atlantic Ocean. Players were shown boarding the team plane, including outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips with his must-have essential of a charger adapter, as well as once they arrived at Frankfurt’s airport.

Miami was active just last season at the deadline, acquiring outside linebacker Bradley Chubb from the Denver Broncos and running back Jeff Wilson Jr. from the San Francisco 49ers.

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Although the Dolphins have shipped their top draft picks in recent years to other teams in deals for Chubb and wide receiver Tyreek Hill, they appear primed to make a draft choice in the first round for the first time since 2021, when wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips were picked.

With McDaniel yet to have a first-round draft selection since becoming Dolphins coach, Grier has previously said he would like to give him the opportunity to have such a pick in the 2024 draft.

Elsewhere at the deadline, the 49ers made the biggest move by picking up Washington Commanders edge rusher Chase Young. The Buffalo Bills traded for Packers cornerback Rasul Douglas, the Lions acquired Browns wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones, the Vikings brought in Cardinals quarterback Joshua Dobbs while trading away guard Ezra Cleveland to the Jaguars and Washington also sent defensive end Montez Sweat to the Chicago Bears.

The Dolphins did pull off a trade earlier in the season, acquiring wide receiver Chase Claypool from the Bears for a late-round pick swap.