Jonathan Marin, the Miami Dolphin offensive lineman who accused teammate Richie Incognito of bullying—creating a firestorm about behavior in NFL locker rooms— was traded to the San Francisco 49ers, led by his college coach at Stanford, Jim Harbaugh.
The Dolphins announced the move on the first day of NFL free agency. San Francisco confirmed the trade, saying only that it would send an undisclosed draft choice to Miami and that Martin still must pass a physical to complete the deal.
“We feel that this move is in the best interests of all parties involved,” Dolphins general manager Dennis Hickey said. “We wish Jonathan well.”
Miami will receive a conditional seventh-round pick in 2015 if Martin is on San Francisco’s opening 53-player roster, a league source told ESPN.
Martin’s cross-country move returns him to the Bay Area, where he has been taking classes at Stanford again.
“This is great for him to get back on the field, and he’s in Palo Alto right now,” his agent, Ken Zuckerman, said in a phone interview. “It couldn’t be much better. I just think everyone wanted this to happen. Harbaugh knows Jonathan, I think the Dolphins were compensated and Jonathan wants to get back on the field. It’s a good day.”
Martin expressed his excitement via Twitter on Tuesday night, posting: “Opportunities are few in the NFL… Can’t wait to get to work #9erEmpire”
An investigation for the NFL by Ted Wells determined last month that Incognito and two other offensive linemen engaged in persistent harassment of Martin, another offensive lineman and an assistant trainer.
Martin left the Dolphins in late October, underwent counseling for emotional issues and alleged he was harassed by teammates. Incognito was ultimately suspended for the final eight games.
