Dolphins’ Andrew Van Ginkel staying in Miami after taking free agency visits
Outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel’ s productive four-year run with the Dolphins once appeared might end this offseason, but now is set to continue in Miami. Van Ginkel’ s move comes after reported visits with the New England Patriots and Las Vegas Raiders during the first week of free agency and Saturday news that the Dolphins signed former Broncos and...
Outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel’s productive four-year run with the Dolphins once appeared might end this offseason, but now is set to continue in Miami.
Van Ginkel is re-signing with the Dolphins, according to a league source.
Van Ginkel’s move comes after reported visits with the New England Patriots and Las Vegas Raiders during the first week of free agency and Saturday news that the Dolphins signed former Broncos and Steelers pass rusher Malik Reed at the same position.
Van Ginkel came into his own in the 2020 and 2021 seasons with the Dolphins. Between those two seasons, he earned 25 of his 31 career starts with 79 tackles, 9 ½ sacks, four forced fumbles and a 78-yard fumble return for a touchdown.
The former fifth-round draft pick out of Wisconsin in 2019, the first draft of ex-coach Brian Flores’ tenure leading Miami, lost defensive playing time in 2022. Ahead of the season, the Dolphins added veteran Melvin Ingram to work opposite budding 2021 first-round pick Jaelan Phillips. At the trade deadline, Miami traded for Pro Bowl edge rusher Bradley Chubb.
Van Ginkel, who recovered from his preseason appendix removal, still played in every game last season, starting five. He registered 47 tackles plus half a sack, a return touchdown on a Jaelan Phillips blocked punt in Chicago and an interception against the Texans that nearly went for another touchdown.
While seeing diminishing defensive snaps in 2022, Van Ginkel remained a strong special teams contributor last season. He figures to be in the mix for outside linebacker snaps behind Phillips and Chubb and along with Reed. Ingram, a three-time Pro Bowler who turns 34 next month, is a free agent this offseason.
Van Ginkel is staying in Miami instead of heading to New England in free agency like tight end Mike Gesicki, who spent the past five years with the Dolphins.
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