Jonathan Martin is still technically a member of the Miami Dolphins, though it seems like a given that his time with the team is over. Martin left the Dolphins in October just before the bullying scandal erupted. The team reportedly expressed a desire to keep him at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis this week.
According to CBSSports.com’s Jason La Canfora, Martin’s agents met with Dolphins VP of football operations Dawn Aponte and new GM Dennis Hickey to discuss Martin’s future in Miami. The word from his agents was that there will not be one, as the former Stanford star would feel uncomfortable returning to the team.
La Canfora reports that Hickey did most of the talking, while head coach Joe Philbin stared “daggers” across the room at Martin’s agents. After the meeting, Philbin allegedly made it known that he felt Martin’s agents were responsible for the media frenzy surrounding the Richie Incognito bullying scandal and that it was a matter that could have been handled much more quietly.
Martin’s agents released a statement claiming La Canfora’s report is false.
“We have no idea where you got your information, but you weren’t even close,” Rick Smith, one of Martin’s agents, said. “We’d appreciate it if everyone backed off and allowed the process to happen organically.”
With Martin and Incognito almost certain to leave and Mike Pouncey’s contract situation becoming complicated, the Dolphins are in desperate need of offensive line help. Martin returning to the team would be a way to not only bolster their line but also prove he has forgiven the team. Neither is going to happen.
