The Miami Dolphins picked up the fifth-year option on quarterback Ryan Tannehill on Thursday.
Tannehill is now under contract through the 2016 season. According to the Miami Herald, the option is worth $16.2 million. The Dolphins would like for Tannehill to not play under the option because the NFL’s salary cap is going up next year, and they have about $152 million in liabilities next year. The team is in discussions with Tannehill for a multiyear contract extension. Tannehill’s salary will be guaranteed for injury only until next March, when it becomes fully guaranteed.
The Dolphins drafted Tannehill in 2012. He has started every game and improved every year. Last year he threw for 4,045 yards, had 27 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and a passer rating of 92.8, according to the Associated Press. The passing yards, touchdowns, and passer rating are all career-highs for Tannehill, ESPN notes. As a starter Tannehill is 23-25. He has 11,252 passing yards, 63 touchdowns, and 42 interceptions in his three year career.
Tannehill joins Andrew Luck of the Indianapolis Colts, Robert Griffin III of the Washington Redskins, Luke Kuechly of the Carolina Panthers, and Dontari Poe of the Kansas City Chiefs as players who have had their fifth-year option picked up. The Dolphins were 8-8 last year.