The Miami Dolphins' offseason program kicked off this week, but one of their most explosive playmakers was notably absent. Second-year running back De'Von Achane did not attend the start of the team's voluntary workouts, a move that shines a spotlight on his contract situation.
Achane, coming off a spectacular rookie campaign where he led the NFL in yards per carry, is now eligible for a contract extension. The Dolphins have expressed a clear desire to lock him down, with General Manager Chris Grier previously calling him "a building block for us." His absence is widely viewed as a standard negotiating tactic in the NFL, a player leveraging his position as talks progress.
New head coach Jeff Hafley addressed the situation calmly, framing it as a routine part of NFL business. "Those are talks for another time between Achane, Chris, and those guys," Hafley stated. "I'm not going to dive into those talks right now. That's part of the business, it's part of what every team goes through in those situations and they'll work it out."
For Dolphins fans and fantasy football managers, Achane's production is undeniable. In his debut season, he electrified the league with 1,350 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on just 238 carries, proving to be a dynamic home-run threat every time he touched the ball. His breakaway speed and agility make him a centerpiece of Miami's high-powered offense, and both sides will be motivated to find a resolution before mandatory activities begin.