The Miami Dolphins are going through changes. What was supposed to be a bounce-back year for the team after spending plenty of money in free agency has turned into a 1-3 start and the firing of head coach Joe Philbin. The Dolphins announced on Monday that Philbin was being let go of his coaching duties following a 27-14 loss to the New York Jets that was never as close as the score indicated. Now with a new staff set to come in next season, is Ryan Tannehill the biggest name on the chopping block?
The struggles of Tannehill cannot be denied. The quarterback signed a six-year contract in the offseason. However, that deal is essentially a tow-year contract as it is only guaranteed this season and the next. The Dolphins could avoid paying the quarterback $17.975 million in 2017 and $5.525 million in 2018 if they were to release him at some point. According to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, the idea cannot be denied as a new coaching staff might not want the struggles that Tannehill is currently carrying.
News surrounding the quarterback is not positive at the moment. A story reported by Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle details frustrations from Tannehill towards the rest of the team. The quarterback was reportedly frustrated when the practice squad got turnovers on him to which Tannehill responded, "Enjoy your practice squad paycheck, enjoy your practice squad trophy." These types of things could simply be hearsay or it could be accurate and be another mark towards letting the quarterback go.
The Dolphins will not be quick to move Tannehill. They will first get a new coaching staff in place and potentially bring on a younger option to groom. This is an offense built for success if the quarterback can get things together. DeVante Parker, Kenny Stills, Jarvis Landry and Jordan Cameron are top targets in the league and paired with Lamar Miller in the backfield, the Dolphins offense looks great on paper. The team will not give up so quickly just because they fired their head coach.
Anything is possible in South Beach. The team's schedule does not get easier. Tannehill is not the only one struggling. Miller has gotten nothing done on the ground. The offensive line is struggling to protect the quarterback. However, when more changes start to come, the players with the biggest contracts get looked at first and that could be Tannehill.