Jason Taylor has rejoined the Miami Dolphins on a one-year, $1.5 million contract.
Veteran linebacker signs one-year deal with Dolphins
Jason Taylor is returning to the Miami Dolphins on a one-year, $1.5 million contract.
The defensive end, 34, spent his first 11 seasons in the NFL with Miami before being traded to the Washington Redskins last July.
But he was released by the Redskins after a solitary, injury-marred campaign and has now rejoined the Dolphins, despite interest from the New England Patriots.
"My heart has always been in Miami, and so I'm truly excited to call myself a Dolphin once again," Taylor said in a statement.
"I was presented with a number of different opportunities, but in the end the combination of this being the best situation for my family, my love for this community and my tremendous loyalty to a great organisation made this an easy decision."
Fall-out
Taylor was the NFL defensive player of the year in 2006 and has been to the Pro Bowl on six occasions, but his television appearance on 'Dancing with the Stars' led to a fall-out with Dolphins boss Bill Parcells and ultimately led to his trade to Washington last season.
The Redskins offered Taylor $8.5 million to remain in the capital, but he turned that down and accepted a big pay cut to return to Miami - where he and his family still live.
"Jason told me, 'Tell the Dolphins whatever fits their budget, I'm ready to play,'" Taylor's agent Gary Wichard said.
"There were no negotiations. It was always going to be Miami."
Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano will hope Taylor can add to his team's pass rush, which in truth, only contained linebacker Joey Porter who led the AFC with 17.5 sacks.
Taylor has 120.5 sacks in his career and leads the NFL amongst active players, and he could line up apposite Porter next season.
Taylor, one of the premier defensive ends in the league, also holds Dolphins records for consecutive starts (130), sacks (117), opponents fumble recoveries (26), fumble TD returns (5), defensive touchdowns (8) and interceptions by a defensive lineman (7).
