When the Miami Dolphins announced that they were putting the franchise tag on wide receiver Jarvis Landry, it did not come as a surprise. But according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the fact that they put the non-exclusive tag on Landry may be a sign that the Dolphins are ready to deal him away.

A league source tells PFT that the quick tag is being interpreted as a desire by the Dolphins to trade Landry.

Landry’s value to an offense is unmistakable. In four years with the Dolphins, he has made 400 receptions for 4,038 yards and 22 touchdowns. He has two 1,000-plus yard seasons under his belt and two 100-plus receptions seasons as well. Last season, he caught a career-high 112 receptions for 987 yards and nine touchdowns, which is also a new career-high.

Jarvis Landry, Dolphins
Gary McCullough/The Associated Press

But why? Why trade such a valuable piece of the offense? It could be because he is the only wide receiver in the last ten seasons to make 100+ receptions not gain 1000+ yards (Matt Forte did it in 2014, but he’s a running back).

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The receptions are great, but he doesn’t seem to do much with the ball after he catches it. Last season he averaged just 8.8 yards a catch (a new career low). It’s something he hasn’t been good at since entering the league. But until this season, he has been trending upward.

His potential makes him worth holding onto. Even if he doesn’t do much with the ball, the team knows he can move the chains. But while the non-exclusive tag means he can talk to other teams, it is doubtful the Dolphins will get an offer they’ll take.

Jarvis Landry, Dolphins
Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

If they refuse to match an offer someone else makes, they get two first-round picks from the other team. So, chances are, they are going to call that a starting point for trade talks. No one is going to be willing to part with that for Landry.