James Walker, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

TE Charles Clay wants to re-sign with Dolphins

DAVIE, Fla. -- Tight end Charles Clay has two more games under contract with the Miami Dolphins. The four-year veteran is aware anything can happen next offseason. But if Clay had his choice, he wants to sign an extension to stay in Miami.

 "Just being here and knowing the guys, knowing the coaches, the city, this is definitely somewhere I want to spend the rest of my career," Clay said on Friday. "I was saying that the second I got drafted. Yeah, I definitely want to [re-sign]."

Clay, who will become an unrestricted free agent in March, is in the final year of the rookie contract that pays him $1.431 million this season. He was a sixth rounder for the Dolphins in 2011 and turned out to be one of their best value picks in recent years. Clay played in 56 career games, including 45 starts, and has 150 receptions for 1,650 yards and 13 touchdowns.

This year Clay battled through knee and hamstring injuries that hurt his production -- and potentially his value on the open market. He has 47 receptions for 446 yards and two touchdowns this season. Clay's value was at its highest last year when he set career highs in catches (69), yards (759) and touchdowns (six).

Clay said he hasn't thought about his looming contract situation much this year. His goal is getting healthy.

"It's not hard at the end of the day," Clay said. "If you don't play well, then you don’t get any kind of money. Your main focus has to be on playing well."

Clay can do himself a favor by finishing the year strong. He's been in and out of the lineup -- missing two games this season -- while also playing hurt at times.

It remains to be seen if the Dolphins (7-7) keep their current regime or make changes after the season. Either way, Clay will be one of the team's biggest free agents this offseason.

"It will all take care of itself," Clay explained. "I don't got too much control over it anyway. ... I'm just going out and trying to play the best two games I can."

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