The NFL punished the Miami Dolphins on Tuesday, stripping them of two premium draft picks and suspending owner Stephen Ross for tampering while trying to draft Tom Brady.
As expected, Ross was not thrilled with the result.
“Ross is going ape,” a league source told Pro Football Talk.
As punishment for having “impermissible contact” with Brady while he was still under contract with the Buccaneers, the Dolphins forfeited their first-round pick in 2023 as well as a third-round pick in 2024. A significant punishment, especially for to a team who, as the findings made clear, has a desire to upgrade to the quarterback position. Many see this as a make-or-break season for third-year QB Tua Tagovailoa.
As part of the punishment, Ross has also been suspended until Oct. 17 and is not allowed in team facilities until then. He also faces a $1.5 million fine.
The investigation also noted that the team also had “impermissible contact” with former Saints head coach Sean Payton, who it’s no secret the team has shown interest in since he stepped down from his position in New Orleans . He also referred to former Dolphins head coach Brian Flores’ claims that the team intentionally threw themselves into draft position in 2019, and while he determined they didn’t “lose games on purpose ” still found that Ross “expressed his belief that the Dolphins’ position. in the upcoming 2020 draft it should take precedence over the team’s win-loss record.”
Miami Dolphins owner Stephen RossGetty Images Tom Brady at Buccaneers training campGetty Images
Ross issued a statement Tuesday after the sentencing in which he expressed some of his frustration.
“The independent investigation cleared our organization of any issues related to the tank and all other allegations made by Brian Flores,” the statement said. “As I have said all along, these allegations were false, malicious and defamatory, and this matter has been resolved. As for the manipulation, I strongly disagree with the findings and punishment. However, I will accept the outcome because the most important thing is that there are no distractions for our team as we begin an exciting, winning season. I will not let anything stand in the way.”
If this upcoming season isn’t as full of “thrill” and “winning” as Ross hopes, the lack of a first-round pick will make it much more difficult to switch quarterbacks if they decide to go that route, unless, of course, , Brady decides to join the team anyway.