Kiko Alonso traded to Saints

Miami Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso is on his way out of Miami and headed to New Orleans to join the Saints via a player-for-player trade.  

Just one day removed from final roster cuts and the franchise changing trade of Laremy Tunsil and Kenny Stills, the Dolphins are moving on from the veteran linebacker. Reports surfaced earlier this week of Alonso requesting a trade, and since then, the team had been searching for a trade partner. 

Miami gets linebacker back in trade 

The trade sends linebacker Vince Biegel in return. Biegel is entering his third NFL season after being drafted in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft to the Green Bay Packers. He has appeared in 23 games for the Packers and Saints, but has yet to start a single contest.

The 25-year-old has only recorded 10 solo tackles and 14 combined tackles in his NFL career. The trade will save Miami $4 million dollars in cap space for 2019 and $12 million dollars over the next two years, according to Miami Herald reporter Adam Beasley. ESPN’s Cameron Wolfe also reported that if the Dolphins had just cut Alonso, it would have only saved them $25 thousand dollars.

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What happened to Alonso?

When you look at his numbers, Alonso had a better season in 2018, and really entire stint as a Dolphin than most probably expected. He finished with 125 tackles, three forced fumbles and three interceptions last year alone.

Alonso’s 100+ tackles marked the third straight season of 100 tackles or more for the six-year pro. He started all 46 games during his time in Miami, but just wasn’t in the long term plans under Brian Flores. He lost his full-time linebacker role in the offseason with Flores adjusting the defensive schemes. Alonso has two years and $12.9 million dollars remaining on his current contract.

Alonso also missed all of training camp and preseason with an undisclosed injury, and just returned to practice in the later days of August. Additionally, linebacker Jerome Baker has also become the center of the Dolphins’ defense and is in more of a leadership/communication role with the defense.

After being spending time with the Buffalo Bills, the Philadelphia Eagles and Miami, he is now out of the AFC East again and heads to the NFC to join an immediate Super Bowl contender in the Saints.