There have been only two playoff appearances the past 16 seasons. What five questions do the Miami Dolphins need to answer heading into 2018?
They began 2017 with a 4-2 record and closed the season with three straight losses. A 10-6 showing and wild card berth one year earlier morphed into a 6-10 finish and a third-place spot in the AFC East.
Now the Miami Dolphins enter this upcoming year with plenty of changes and hopefully a healthy performer behind center. But is Adam Gase’s team capable of contending for a division title this fall? The club’s last AFC East title came in 2008 when Tony Sparano was head coach and Bill Parcells was running the front office. All told, it’s hard to get a grasp on just what direction the franchise is headed in these days.
There was a bit of housecleaning this offseason when it came to familiar faces. And the organization was busy when it came to free agency and trading for veteran performers. So what five questions must the Miami Dolphins come up with answers for if the team is going to be a factor in 2018?
5. Is head coach Adam Gase on the hot seat?
That is somewhat hard to fathom after only two seasons. But keep in mind that Gase is the franchise’s fifth head coach since 2011 and over that span, two of those men lost their jobs during the cost of the season. His tenure began in 2016 and the club got off to 1-4 start. The team gathered itself, won nine of its final 11 contests and grabbed a playoff berth for the first time since ’08. Unfortunately, Gase lost his starting quarterback in early December and although the ‘Fins reached the postseason they were one and out.
Yes, Gase coaxed quarterback Jay Cutler out of retirement last year knowing Ryan Tannehill would be shelved for the year. But the team just couldn’t hang on after winning four of its first six games. This offseason, as has been the case for too many years, there have been a lot of changes to the team. So of the club suffers through another so-so season, will the organization show patience? That’s really the bigger question when it comes to Gase.