While the Dolphins will spend the next six weeks trying to finalize a long-term contract with quarterback Ryan Tannehill, if no deal can be reached, the team plans to exercise its fifth-year option on his contract, sources told the Sun Sentinel.
If the option is used, Tannehill would earn nearly $16 million in 2016.
"We like the player a lot. Our hope and expectation is he'll be here for a long time," Dolphins vice president of football operations Mike Tannenbaum said. "When a long-term deal gets done, I don't have a timetable right now."
The option must be utilized by May 1.
Dolphins owner Stephen Ross confirmed the team's interest when he said Monday he would like to discuss a long-term contract with Tannehill this offseason, reports the Palm Beach Post.