Dolphins owner hints both Richie Incognito, Jonathan Martin won’t return
Although he later retracted the statement, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said neither Richie Incognito or Jonathan Martin are expected to return.
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
With the NFL report on the Dolphins' bullying and harassment scandal expected to be released shortly after the Super Bowl, the attention will turn to the future in Miami. That includes whether or not Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin will return to the team. Miami owner Stephen Ross met with the media on Tuesday and said "I don't believe so" when asked if Incognito and Martin would return, according to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald.
After making the initial comment, Ross quickly backpedaled and retracted the claim.
“Well, I can’t say that,” Ross said, via the Miami Herald. “I retract that statement so therefore I can’t say that. I never said that.”
Ross likely backed off his original claim because Martin’s future isn’t likely to be settled right away. Incognito’s contract is set to expire and he will become a free agent. According to Salguero, the Dolphins will not re-sign him. Martin, on the other hand, is still under contract. Even if he is unlikely to return, as most expect, the Dolphins will likely try to trade him.
“One is a free agent by the way and the other is on our roster, we claim right to him,” Ross said.
Announcing he won’t return now, before the team can even discuss a trade, could impact the team’s ability to get a return. Regardless, Ross’ comments aren’t likely to have much of an impact either way because, as Salguero noted, the entire NFL knows Martin is unlikely to return to Miami.
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