Aaron Lynch, a 31-year-old defensive end, is an unexpected participant for the Miami Dolphins at their rookie minicamp this week.
Lynch, a twice-retired veteran who hasn’t played in an NFL game since 2020, is making a bid to return to the league and was given the opportunity to try out this week at Miami’s rookie minicamp. The team’s minicamp began on May 10 and he is the sole veteran there.
Aaron Lynch’s Curious Journey
The San Francisco 49ers selected Lynch in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft, and he created a lasting impression there before moving around the league, as Adam Stites of USA Today’s Dolphins Wire reported.
In 2018, Lynch became a free agency and signed with the Chicago Bears following four seasons with 15 sacks. In his two seasons with the team, he racked up five sacks. In 2020, Stites wrote, he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Prior to the 2020 season beginning, during training camp, Lynch declared his retirement from the Jaguars. However, he returned two months later and played in eight games for the team. Despite the fact that he hasn’t played in the league since, he has made an attempt to return and was granted a tryout with the Cleveland Browns in March.
Stites saw that Lynch had changed positions and lost weight during his hiatus from the NFL, undergoing a minor metamorphosis.
Lynch, who the Jaguars listed as a 6’5, 285-pound defensive end in 2020, is listed as a 6’5, 260-pound linebacker on the Dolphins’ rookie minicamp roster, according to Stites.
Minicamp: Top Rookie Shares His Thoughts
Minicamp began on Friday, but one edge rusher received the most attention. The Dolphins’ first-round selection, Chop Robinson, is anticipated to play a significant role after edge rushers Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips recuperate from injuries that ended their seasons.
Robinson, the team’s first first-round selection in the previous three years, told reporters on Friday that he is attempting to maintain his looseness as he begins work at minicamp.
According to Hal Habib of the Palm Beach Post, Robinson stated, “I don’t put any pressure on myself.” “I just come here, work, be humble, and keep my head down.” My primary advice is to work hard, remain modest, and have confidence. Stay true to who I am. Be the guy I am and the player I am.
Since getting picked last month, Robinson’s first meaningful action in the NFL, minicamp, has been surreal, according to him.
He remarked, “I think that’s why it really hasn’t hit me yet.” “It will probably hit me in the summer while I’m on a break or something similar. I’m simply prepared to work right now.
Robinson, who has long been a fan of the two edge rushers on the team, said he feels pressure to live up to the level established by them.
“I’ve been watching Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips since high school, and I know what kind of players they are because they played in college,” Robinson remarked. “Every day, I know they strive for greatness. That’s what I’m pursuing as well.