Kenny Stills is on the roster bubble with the Miami Dolphins as the team gets ready to cut down to 53 players. The wide receiver, who has been outspoken on issues relating to Colin Kaepernick, Eric Reid, and Jay-Z, told reporters he does not think his advocacy would play a role in a decision about his roster spot.
Stills was asked specifically whether he thought his advocacy would be used against him and said “no.”
“It’s the business side of this game,” Stills said Monday about his spot being in jeopardy.
If the Dolphins were to cut Stills, it would likely have to do with money. The 2013 fifth-round pick is in the third year of a four-year, $32 million deal. He is owed nearly $8 million in base salary for the upcoming season. The Dolphins could save around $6.5 million by cutting him.
$8 million is a lot for a player who had just 37 catches for 553 yards and six touchdowns last season. The Dolphins are said to be tanking this year, so keeping a guy like Stills or Kiko Alonso, whom they’re also said to be looking to trade, wouldn’t make a ton of sense at their high salaries.
Stills is a good enough player where several teams would likely have interest in him were he to be cut. He’s still a productive player, but he’s much more desirable at a lower price. Let’s also not forget that he was critical of Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, which probably doesn’t help his roster status.
