NFL Rumors: Miami Dolphins expected to exercise fifth-year option for Mike Pouncey

Mike Pouncey is a Pro Bowl center who was playing his way into a long-term deal with the Miami Dolphins over the first four years of his career. But then Pouncey was named in the Ted Wells Report and bullied his way into seeing the fifth year of his rookie contract picked up.

According to The Miami Herald, Pouncey is still playing on his rookie contract, even though about to be playing in his fifth season.

"Right now, Pouncey is scheduled to hit the final year (2014) of his fully guaranteed $9.259 million rookie deal. That deal will pay Pouncey $1.63 million in 2014. But the Dolphins are able to pick up an option year on Pouncey in May that would tie him to the team for a fifth year through 2015.The Dolphins fully intend to pick up that option, according to a club source."

It’s no secret that Pouncey was hoping for a long-term deal but his fifth year being picked up instead is being viewed as a sort of punishment. He’ll likely get a long-term deal if he plays well, but he may also bully the Dolphins out of being able to re-sign him for putting him through this — which is the ultimate irony of the situation.