Breaking News: Miami Dolphins’ Ryan Tannehill Extended
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins are very confident in their fourth year quarterback Ryan Tannehill. So much so they have extended his contract to 2020. It sounds a lot further away than it actually is.
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The news was reported by Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald via Twitter a short while ago and since confirmed by the team. Contract details are being reported as a six year deal worth $96 million with just over $45 guaranteed. The Dolphins have officially made the announcement and Dennis Hickey made it clear that Tannehill was this teams QB.
Dennis Hickey: “Signing Ryan to this deal is important to our franchise. He is a proven quarterback in this league that combines a..."
— Greg Likens (@GregLikens) May 18, 2015
Tannehill’s contract will be for an additional four seasons and will wipe out the 5th year option that the club picked up last month. The Dolphins and Tannehill had been discussing a contract extension prior to the league mandated deadline. Tannehill becomes the first in his draft class to receive an extension at his position. Andrew Luck was taken number one overall followed by Robert Griffin, III at number two overall. Brandon Weeden was taken later in round one but did not have his option picked up. Russell Wilson is looking for a new deal as well but does not have the 5th year option as he was taken in round three. Both deals for Luck and Wilson are expected to exceed Tannehill’s deal which will now serve only as a benchmark.
In his three seasons thus far, Tannehill has yet to lead the team to the playoffs but a lot of that could be equally shared across bad coaching decisions and a poor offensive line. Tannehill has matured as a quarterback and has improved steadily each of his pro seasons.
Last season the San Francisco 49’ers gave QB Colin Kaepernick a six year extension worth over $120 million with $60 million in guarantees so the Dolphins got a good price for a starting quarterback. $16 million per season for a starter is good compared to the top of the league where $20 million per season is the norm.
What are your thoughts on the extension for Ryan Tannehill?