The Houston Texans and Miami Dolphins engaged in a trade that would swap their linebackers ahead of the 2021 NFL season. Benardrick McKinney will pack his bags and head down south while Shaq Lawson will be relocating to Texas. A swap of draft assets will also be included as part of the deal between the two sides, per ESPN‘s Adam Schefter.
Houston and Miami have a deal: Texans are trading LB Benardrick McKinney to the Dolphins for LB Shaq Lawson, per league sources. The deal also will include a swap of late-round picks, but the focus is the LBs.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2021
Dolphins head coach Brian Flores will be getting a valuable player in McKinney who was already selected to his lone Pro Bowl appearance back in 2018. His stellar production during that season earned him a cool paycheck as he inked a five-year, $50 million deal with the Texans.
However, his campaign in the 2020 season was marred by a season-ending shoulder injury. The Mississippi State product only managed to appear in four contests where he generated 37 total tackles.
On the other hand, the Dolphins are letting go of Lawson who was previously seen as a key player in their defensive rotation. Prior to the 2020 season, the 26-year-old linebacker agreed to a three-year, $30 million contract that would keep him in Miami.
Lawson didn't particularly impress last season as he only recorded 32 total tackles, 4.0 sacks, and a forced fumble through 14 appearances for the Dolphins.
Both players are coming off a dismal campaign in the 2020 season and a change in scenery should give them a fresh start in their young careers. Hopefully, Benardrick McKinney and Shaq Lawson will get to realize their full potential as they suit up for their new teams in the 2021 NFL season.
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