"Veteran quarterback Chad Pennington became a free agent at 12:01 a.m. today but still is hoping to get his wish and return to the Dolphins next season, a league source said Thursday.

A deal isn't yet in place, but "barring something crazy" Pennington will be back in Miami for a third season, the source said.

That "something crazy" could be happening.

ESPN has reported that Pennington wants a no-trade clause and that the Dolphins are balking at that.

Pennington, who would come in as the No. 3 quarterback behind Chad Henne and Tyler Thigpen, wouldn't want to be dealt for a draft pick later in the season if it turned out that Miami didn't really need him.

So far, the deal is for one year for $2.5 million, according to ESPN.

Pennington, who turns 34 on June 26, continues to recover from a season-ending right shoulder injury suffered in Week 3 at San Diego.

The Dolphins like the idea of having Pennington on board as an insurance policy and mentor to Henne, who took over last when season when Pennington was hurt.

"We've talked to Chad (Pennington) on a number of different avenues," Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland said last week at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. "I don't want to reveal my cards as far as my off-season plans, but I like Chad a lot. He's a leader."

Even coming off his third surgery to his throwing shoulder, Pennington would give the Dolphins another good option at QB. If Pennington is back to 100 percent in training camp, he might even vie for the starting job."