Former Dolphins Star Receiver Landry Reflects on Bitter Trade to Browns

Jarvis Landry opens up about contract disputes and Miami's plan to 'send him to Cleveland' before 2018 trade.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 9:50pm

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An abstract, energetic painting in neon colors showing a football player's body in motion, with their face and uniform dissolving into expressive brushstrokes that capture the raw emotion and intensity of the sport.The trade of star receiver Jarvis Landry exposed the Dolphins' tumultuous relationship with their top talent and the fallout that can ensue.Today in Miami

In a recent podcast interview, former Miami Dolphins Pro Bowl wide receiver Jarvis Landry shared his candid thoughts on being traded to the Cleveland Browns in 2018, despite wanting to remain with the Dolphins. Landry described the contentious contract negotiations and his coach's apparent disdain for sending players to Cleveland, where 'your career could die.' The Dolphins' decision to trade Landry, a move that was part of a broader roster overhaul, had significant repercussions as the team struggled to replace his production.

Why it matters

Landry's trade was a pivotal moment in the Dolphins' recent history, as the team has undergone multiple roster purges and rebuilds in the past decade. The way the organization handled Landry's contract situation and eventual trade provides insight into the team's approach to player personnel decisions and the challenges they face in retaining top talent.

The details

Landry said that during his contract year in 2018, he chose to report to training camp rather than hold out, wanting to show the Dolphins he was committed to the team. However, the Dolphins ultimately traded him to the Browns for a fourth-round pick, despite Landry agreeing to sign the franchise tag. The Dolphins then signed free agents Albert Wilson and Danny Amendola in an attempt to replace Landry's production, but both players struggled with injuries. Meanwhile, Landry went on to make the Pro Bowl in his first two seasons with the Browns and helped the team win a playoff game in 2020.

  • In 2018, Landry was in the final year of his contract with the Dolphins.
  • The Dolphins traded Landry to the Browns prior to the 2018 NFL season.

The players

Jarvis Landry

A former Pro Bowl wide receiver who played for the Miami Dolphins from 2014 to 2017 before being traded to the Cleveland Browns.

Adam Gase

The head coach of the Miami Dolphins at the time Landry was traded.

Albert Wilson

A free agent wide receiver signed by the Dolphins in 2018 to help replace Landry's production, but suffered a season-ending injury.

Danny Amendola

A free agent wide receiver signed by the Dolphins in 2018 to help replace Landry's production, but was not re-signed after the season.

Durham Smythe

A tight end drafted by the Dolphins with the fourth-round pick they received in the Landry trade.

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What they’re saying

“When I got to my contract year, I had a decision to hold out or to go to training camp. I said 'You know what? Imma show up. Imma be a team guy. Imma go to training camp, go do everything, show them that I'm a Dolphin. I want to say here, I want to be here.' And that season ended, man.”

— Jarvis Landry, Former Miami Dolphins Wide Receiver

“'if somebody don't want to play for the Miami Dolphins, I'll send your ass to Cleveland.'...Essentially, send you to Cleveland so your career could die.”

— Adam Gase, Former Miami Dolphins Head Coach

What’s next

The Dolphins will hope their latest roster overhaul, which included trading away several Pro Bowl players, turns out better than the one they underwent in the late 2010s that saw them struggle to replace the production of stars like Jarvis Landry.

The takeaway

Landry's bitter departure from the Dolphins highlights the challenges the organization has faced in retaining top talent and the ripple effects those decisions can have on the team's performance. As the Dolphins embark on another rebuild, they'll need to learn from past mistakes to ensure this version of the roster purge leads to more sustainable success.