The Dolphins have opted to sign Jay Cutler as their 2017 starting quarterback. This is why they made a huge mistake.
Plenty of fans are rejoicing that the Miami Dolphins have opted to sign Jay Cutler over the polarizing Colin Kaepernick, but they shouldn’t be — not if they want what’s best for the team’s success. If you objectively look at it, it’s hard to make any case that Cutler is better than Kaepernick.
Kap is younger, more athletic and healthier. Not only is he more talented and healthy but he has proven he can be successful. Cutler has one a grand total of one career playoff game in one career playoff appearance. Kaepernick led his team to a Super Bowl and to an NFC Championship game the following season, and was barely edged out in both losses. It’s hard to argue that a younger, healthier, more talented option with more proven success isn’t a better option.
Although Kaepernick has not been as successful the past few seasons, he’s still been better than Cutler. In 12 games last year he threw for 2,241 yards and accounted for 18 touchdowns with just four interceptions. He also added 468 yards on the ground with an average of 6.8 yards per carry.
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He did this on a team completely devoid of talent and clearly outperformed his competition, Blaine Gabbert. The San Francisco 49ers have had a complete lack of talent and miserable coaching since Jim Harbaugh was run out of town.
Sure, Cutler may know the system, but Kap’s dual-threat ability suits the Dolphins very well and gives the coaching staff a ton of options to be creative. They could also utilize him in the pistol which negate their terrible offensive line and mask perhaps their most glaring weakness.
With the weapons he’d have in Miami, this offense could terrorize defenses. His ability to run would force defenses to spy him and force safeties to step up. Not only would that make the middle of the field vulnerable to both the run and pass, but it would also open up the deep ball.
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Kaepernick could be a bust, but at just 29 years old, if he clicked he could potentially be a long-term option. Cutler is a one-year stopgap at best and has just as much bust potential. If you believe Gase gets the best out of quarterbacks and limits their flaws, I can’t imagine why you wouldn’t want Kaepernick in Miami.