The Miami Dolphins finished 8-8 for the second consecutive season, falling out of playoff contention down the stretch. The team has some talented pieces in place, but with the offseason now upon them, they'll have to decide if those pieces are worth big money after failing to advance to the playoffs in three straight years.
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who is 23-25 in his three seasons, is entering the final year of his contract and is set to earn just north of $4 million. Offensive lineman Mike Pouncey is also entering a contract year and is scheduled to receive roughly $7.4 million in 2015.
Miami will have to decide if both players are worth a long-term investment or a pricey short-term solution.
"Talked with Mike Tannenbaum today." Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald tweeted yesterday. "My takeaway: Mike Pouncey extension will get done this offseason. Ryan Tannehill deal will be worked on."
Miami will trade numbers with Tannehill's camp for a long-term deal over the next couple months, but all signs point to the team exercising the fifth-year option on his deal. That would keep Tannehill under contract through 2016 (for a price around $15 million, however) and allow the team an extra year to see if he can be The Guy in the long run. With the early success of young quarterbacks such as Russell Wilson, Andrew Luck and Cam Newton to a certain degree, another playoff-less season in 2015 may push Miami towards finding another option under center.
While Pouncey may not have the fate of the franchise on his shoulders like Tannehill, his importance to the team is well known.
"Pouncey is arguably the league's best center, but moved to guard this season based on the Dolphins' other personnel," ESPN's Matt Williamson wrote. "He is the foundation of the Dolphins' offensive line."
