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The Miami Dolphins and Jay Cutler continue to be linked in rumors of the team and player both having interest in a possible contract deal. While there were premature reports that the Dolphins and Cutler had reached an agreement, those have proven to be false, with various media members reporting that some details of a possible contract were discussed, but both sides are still trying to decide if they want to move forward. The Dolphins do not yet have a definitive prognosis on starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill’s left knee - a knee he injured last year and re-injured last week, while Cutler has to decide if he wants to leave the Fox broadcasting job he is starting this year.
According to a series of tweets from ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, the possibility of a Cutler to the Dolphins contract is still in the works, though it may actually be “unlikely” to ever come to fruition:
I have a feeling some might rather we chill with constant Cutler/Dolphins play by play, but for few who aren’t totally annoyed by it yet:
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) August 6, 2017
As the Dolphins continue to brace for likelihood of Tannehill surgery, Cutler remains their top target, even if Cutler is still reluctant.
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) August 6, 2017
After a day without communication, I’m told Gase and Cutler finally connected last night. Cutler still hasn’t given the team an outright no.
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) August 6, 2017
I don’t sense desperation from Dolphins – rather some willingness for slight patience given how much of a surprise this was to all involved.
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) August 6, 2017
Yes, Dolphins/Cutler have talked $. I sense good $ could cause Cutler to justify return, but I don’t think reluctance is mere leverage play.
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) August 6, 2017
So for now, I’d still characterize Cutler return as “unlikely,” but as I said yesterday, Gase can be a convincing dude when he wants to be.
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) August 6, 2017
The Miami Herald’s Adam Beasley also weighed in on the current Cutler-Dolphins possibility, including the chance that the situation could resolve as early as Sunday.
Tannenbaum and Grier flew up and back to Canton yesterday. Hope of people involved: Cutler situation resolved soon -- perhaps even today.
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) August 6, 2017
Cutler has been linked to the Dolphins - and are reportedly the only team for which he would consider returning to football - because of the impact on his career Dolphins head coach Adam Gase had on Cutler’s career. In 2015, Gase was the offensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears, with Cutler as his quarterback. Cutler recorded a career high in passer rating that season.
Currently, Miami has Matt Moore replacing Tannehill with the first team in practices, along with 2016 seventh-round pick Brandon Doughty and free agent addition David Fales on the roster. Tannehill’s knee injury is thought to require either six-to-eight weeks of rehab to fully recover, similar to the prognosis when he injured it in December, or he could require season ending surgery.
The Dolphins play their first preseason game on Thursday versus the Atlanta Falcons.