Miami Dolphins apparently thinking about a Jay Cutler return in 2018

The Miami Dolphins are almost done with the Jay Cutler mistake. Unless of course they are not almost done with the Cutler mistake and ready to make another one.

According to Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald, the Dolphins are considering the options for Cutler ahead of the 2018 season which of course won’t begin officially until sometime in early March with the start of the league new year.

The Dolphins off-season will begin once the team finishes their 2017 season however and a lot of speculation and talk surrounds the future of the Dolphins quarterback position. We know that Ryan Tannehill is projected to be the starter in 2018 there remains questions about the back-up position and whether the Dolphins will look to the draft for a future signal caller.

Once believed to be a foregone conclusion at the end of the season, Jay Cutler may not be gone just yet.

"Even though the Dolphins are mulling bringing back Jay Cutler next year, it would be as a backup. Tannehill is the guy — assuming he has no setbacks"

Are the Dolphins seriously “mulling” over the future of Cutler with the team? Consider that while he may decide to take a back-up role with the team it’s unlikely that he will take much of a pay cut. Already making $10 million this year will he ask for and receive a salary in the $7 million range to sit on the bench? Will the Dolphins pay that much for a quarterback who has been as inconsistent as the team has been for the last decade and a half?

It’s a bit unnerving.

Consider that the Dolphins have a question with Ryan Tannehill. His progress is said to be going well but how well is anyone’s guess until he is actually on the field in pads and running around the field. The Dolphins will watch for swelling and any lingering issues from the surgery but Tannehill could very well be one missed step or plant from the IR again.

Knowing that Miami has to have a better option at the back-up spot, is Cutler really a better option? Even over a rookie?

That is a question that we can’t answer but fans will not likely be thrilled if Miami throws more than $4 million at a quarterback who has basically won one meaningful game in his Miami career. Five of his six wins this season could have been losses. He played his best against the Patriots.

What Miami does this off-season is all speculative at this time and will remain so until they actually start making moves ahead of next year. Next year may come a lot sooner if the Dolphins lose this weekend to the Chiefs. Ending any slim hopes of a playoff spot.

So for now, while fans count down the days until Cutler is gone, he may not be gone for long.