Reports have surfaced over the last few days that the Miami Dolphins and quarterback Ryan Tannehill are working on a long-term 7-year deal which could be worth upwards of $100 million.
Since being taken 8th overall in the 2012 NFL Draft, Tannehill has been the starting quarterback in Miami. Last season, Tannehill enjoyed the best season by a Miami quarterback since the retirement of Hall of Famer Dan Marino. Tannehill joined Marino as the only Miami quarterbacks to throw for over 4,000 yards in a season and finished with 27 touchdown passes compared to just 12 interceptions.
Despite being the most sacked quarterback over the last two seasons, Tannehill has been remarkably durable, making the start in each of Miami’s 48 games since being selected in April of 2012. No matter how many positive feelings the Dolphins have about Tannehill, a lengthy extension exceeding nine figures at this point, still seems premature.
It’s true that Tannehill’s supporting cast has left much to be desired. Whether it’s been the dismal offensive line, the early injury to Knowshon Moreno or the underachievement of receiver Mike Wallace, Tannehill has went about his business without complaining or calling out teammates.
In three seasons as a starter however, Tannehill has a career record of just 23-25 and with a playoff spot in reach, the Dolphins have floundered in December in each of the last two seasons.
Tannehill was one of four quarterbacks taken in the first round of the 2012 draft and one of six taken through the first three rounds. Of the six, Tannehill and Brandon Weeden are the only two who have not led their team to the playoffs while third round pick Russell Wilson has appeared in two Super Bowls and already has a championship to his name.
Offering Tannehill elite money at this juncture is a bit puzzling considering he has yet to make the Dolphins an elite team or put up elite numbers. This past season, Tannehill ranked fifth in the NFL in completion percentage, 11th in passing yards, 12th in touchdown passes and 14th in passer rating.
The Dolphins have not reached the playoffs yet with Tannehill under center, but have been very close as playoff teams Detroit and Green Bay each had to score in the final 30 seconds to down Miami in 2014. The Dolphins also let an 11-point fourth quarter lead slip away at Denver.
Though it may be hard to understand Miami offering big money to Tannehill at this stage in his career, it’s not difficult to understand Miami’s optimism for the soon to be fourth-year quarterback out of Texas A&M.
Tannehill has had porous pass protection, a sometimes non-existent running game and has yet to play with a Pro Bowl running back or wide receiver. Over his three years, he’s become the leader of the team and it’s clear that his teammates rally around him.
With Miami willing to offer in excess of $100 million to lock up Tannehill for the long term, it’s obvious the Dolphins believe he can make them an elite team. For a franchise that’s made just one playoff appearance in the last 12 years and without a postseason win since 2001, they better be right.
