The Miami Dolphins are reportedly going to offer their head coaching job to current Chicago Bears and former Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase.
According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, the Miami Dolphins are expected to name Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Adam Gase the opportunity to become the Dolphins’ next head coach.
#Dolphins are bringing #Bears OC Adam Gase in for one reason: He's the leading candidate. Expected to offer him, deal could get done today.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 9, 2016
While the six other head coaching vacancies (Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans) are still very wide open at this point, Rapoport reports that “the hottest coaching candidate is about to be off the board” with Gase reportedly going to Miami.
He shortly after followed up with a report that the deal was getting done.
#Dolphins are hiring #Bears OC Adam Gase as their head coach, source say. It’s happening. Finalizing the 5-year deal right now.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 9, 2016
Gase has been the offensive coordinator to Bears head coach John Fox the last few seasons, starting with the Denver Broncos in 2013. Gase has worked with quarterbacks like Peyton Manning, Brock Osweiler, and Jay Cutler. All three passers speak highly of his ability to work with quarterbacks.
While the Dolphins did fire Joe Philbin, an offensive-minded coach, earlier this season, it seems that Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and the rest of the Miami front office want another offensive mind to jump-start starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill’s progression to becoming an elite NFL passer.
Tannehill has shown flashes of brilliance at times during his first four years in the league with the Dolphins, but Miami has failed to make the AFC Playoffs each season despite having a decently constructed NFL roster.
NFL.com’s Marc Sessler writes that Gase did meet with Tannehill, as well as star defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh during the interview process. Having both Tannehill and Suh on the same page with their next head coach certainly helps the Dolphins reel in an offensive coach of Gase’s caliber.