The Miami Dolphins are preparing to make a big commitment to quarterback Ryan Tannehill. The Dolphins have made a lot of moves this offseason and are preparing to make a few more. After signing Ndamukong Suh, the team released Brian Hartline, Brandon Gibson, Charles Clay and Mike Wallace which leaves them empty handed on offense. While they continue to re-tool that group, a contract for Tannehill is in the works.
The Dolphins continue to express their love for Tannehill despite the fact that the quarterback has yet to see playoff success like the rest of his draft class. Entering the final year of his contract, Tannehill is being viewed as a franchise star and will get paid like one in the coming months.
"If you have one in the building you can win with you want to pay him as reasonably as possible," team vice president Mike Tannenbaum said, via the South Florida Sun Sentinel. "The good thing is we have one."
Tannenbaum made it clear that the recent moves on the roster would not factor in to the contract Tannehill will get. The question is exactly how much he is worth considering the mega deals Russell Wilson and Andrew Luck are preparing to sign. The Dolphins will exercise Tannehill's fifth-year option worth $16 million for 2016 with the goal of buying themselves time on negotiations, but the quarterback's contract is expected to reach $100 million and around six years.
While the Dolphins continue to work out the worth of Tannehill, they are looking to sign at least one more free agent on offense to pair with Jarvis Landry and Kenny Stills on offense. Both Greg Jennings and Michael Crabtree have taken visits to South Beach, but have not signed any deals. Jennings also visited the Carolina Panthers so there is growing interest around both wide receivers. Crabtree could cost more, but his injuries are a red flag to many teams. Jennings would be a short-term investment given his age. The Dolphins could also look to the draft for help in players like Kevin White, DeVante Parker and Phillip Dorsett. That would give Tannehill a much better group of receivers to work with after the offseason deals.
