Linebacker Kiko Alonso got his wish, as he's no longer a member of the Miami Dolphins. At some point in the summer, Alonso asked for a trade, a request that was granted on Sunday when Miami sent him to the New Orleans Saints, in return getting linebacker Vince Biegel.
Even without asking for a trade, it became apparent Alonso had already fallen out of favor with head coach Brian Flores' staff. According to the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson, Alonso's freelancing and disobeying coaches didn't win himself many fans in Miami.
“One player said Kiko Alonso was scolded repeatedly in the May/June practices for freelancing or not doing things how the coaches wanted. So who can blame him for wanting out, especially after losing his role as an everydown player?”
It shouldn't be a surprise that Alonso wanted out. His skillset wouldn't match with Flores' schematics, which depend on frequent package changes to play the pass. Though a stout run defender, pass coverage is a weakness to Alonso's game. Knowing the writing was likely on the wall, Alonso probably became disgruntled and saw his opportunity for a trade after Miami's recent roster purge, shipping off left tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Kenny Stills to the Houston Texans for draft picks.
The 29-year-old Alonso wasn't in Miami's long-term aspirations to build the roster from the ground up. However, New Orleans' contending status does match his timeline to win now, though it's unknown where he fits in an already well-built and veteran-laden group of linebackers.
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