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Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill’s contract will come soon

By Ryan Ratty

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Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Before the 2015 NFL season begins, the Miami Dolphins are hoping to finalize a contract extension with franchise quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

The first three seasons of Ryan Tannehill have been a little tough to examine. Obviously, his 23-25 career record leaves a ton of questions to be answered, but the fact of the matter is that the Texas A&M product has really never had much talent to work with. Despite his inconsistencies and his inability so far in his career to win meaningful football games, Tannehill has shown enough to the Miami Dolphins’ organization for them to award him with a contract extension.

Adam Rapoport of NFL Network reported that the Dolphins plan to extend Tannehill before the 2015 NFL season officially begins.

When teams give their quarterbacks a contract extension, it usually is a huge deal that involves a boatload of cash. Deservedly so, Tony Romo received a massive contract just two offseasons ago, and after his MVP-caliber season in 2014, it was clear that the decision to give Romo an extension was a good one, however, a ton of risks also came with it.

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Romo had some ailing back injuries as well as a history of punctured lungs and banged up ribs. Nevertheless, Romo was crucial towards the Cowboys’ playoff run in 2014 and he will be needed just as much in 2015, as the Cowboys are gearing up for a Super Bowl run.

Despite Romo’s success, there have also been quarterback extensions that have gone wrong in the past few years. Andy Dalton and Colin Kaepernick are prime examples of that. Dalton has made it to the playoffs four straight years, but his inability to win a playoff game as well as his constant inconsistencies have made it hard to defend him.

Kaepernick, on the other hand, received his contract extension after his run to the Super Bowl in 2013. Since then, he has played horribly and it is clear that his contract was one of the bigger duds in recent memory. An argument could also be made for Jay Cutler, who was paid big money after the 2013 season. Just one year since he’s signed that contract, there have been rumors about the Chicago Bears selecting a quarterback within the first few rounds of the 2015 NFL Draft.

Just last offseason, Dalton signed a six-year deal worth up to $115 million. Although he doesn’t have the playoff experience or the career record to prove it, Tannehill is simply a better quarterback than Dalton, and the former hasn’t even reached his fullest potential. It’s pretty clear that the Dolphins are going to upgrade their offense in the draft. That said, Tannehill will finally have some players around him that can change the complexity of the game.

With the New England Patriots losing key players on both sides of the ball and the Dolphins, who were close to making the playoffs last year, improving on both sides of the ball, 2015 is the season where Tannehill as well as the Dolphins can finally make some noise in the AFC East. For them to do just that however, Tannehill will need to be at the top of his game. By locking him up long-term, the Dolphins will keep the impending contract extension off his mind and let him focus on winning football games.

Next: Miami Dolphins: 7-Round Mock Draft

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