SUNRISE, Fla. — Miami Dolphins news never sleeps — even when their neighbors to the (slight) north command the national spotlight.
Midway through Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers on Monday night, word of a significant Dolphins development leaked:
The Dolphins are signing veteran safety Marcus Maye, adding key veteran depth to a position that sorely needed it. Bleacher Report was the first to report the agreement, which is not yet official. Pro Football Network has since confirmed the report.
Miami Dolphins Add S Marcus Maye
Maye, 31, appeared in just seven games last year due to injury and a DUI suspension. He still had a career-high two interceptions plus three tackles for loss in the limited action.
Maye, who can play both free and strong safety, adds credible depth to a Dolphins safety position that had questions beyond Jevon Holland. The signing sets up a training camp competition with Jordan Poyer, another 30-something veteran added this offseason.
SEE MORE: Miami Dolphins’ Depth Chart
The Dolphins had cap flexibility to sign Maye thanks to the $18.5 million cap relief they got last week when Xavien Howard’s contract came off the books.
Maye has started 77 games for the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints since entering the league as a second-round pick in 2017.
Poyer, 33, has 117 starts and 24 interceptions in 155 career games. He was the projected starter alongside Holland before Monday’s news, with Nik Needham and Elijah Campbell as the backups.
Dolphins teammates raved about Poyer’s leadership during last week’s mandatory minicamp.
“It’s cool to hear him back there relaying calls, which could affect us or not affect us each play, which is really good to get that communication back down,” Dolphins defensive tackle Zach Sieler said.
Added cornerback Jalen Ramsey: “I’ve got a lot of respect for him and what he’s done in his career thus far. Glad to have him a part of this defense, I think he brings a lot of knowledge to this defense along with his skill set.
“I think he’s a really good player and can make a lot of plays and also can make a lot of impact with the team. I think him and Jevon can be one of the best duos in the league. I’m just really looking forward to them being the guys back there.”
The news came in the second period of Monday night’s Stanley Cup Final game, with some of Maye’s new teammates — including running back Raheem Mostert — in attendance.