They signed free-agent Jay Cutler to a large, one-year contract that won’t result in more victories than last season -- or even an equal amount (10) -- or a trip to the postseason. Cameron Wake Jerseys The only thing guaranteed by this move is that the Dolphins lost $10 million in cap room for this season -- Jarvis Landry extension, anyone? -- or to roll over into next season with the blind hope that Cutler will lead Miami to the playoffs.

The Dolphins believe they are a playoff team and made a desperation play Jarvis Landry Jerseys with Cutler after Ryan Tannehill suffered a left knee injury that likely will sideline him for most or all of this season.

By now you know the connection: Cutler played one year under Adam Gase with the Chicago Bears in 2015. Jay Ajayi Jerseys Gase believes in Cutler perhaps more than any coach whom the quarterback has had in his career. Cutler threw for 3,659 yards, 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in their one season together.

The Bears also went 6-10 that year and ranked 23rd in passing. Mario Williams Jerseys How much higher is the ceiling in 2017 for Cutler, 34, who is now two years older and coming off a season-ending shoulder injury last season? Add in the fact that Cutler didn’t have an offseason of minicamp, organized team activities and a good portion of training camp, and expectations should be lowered.

Gase is a smart coach with tremendous people skills. Ndamukong Suh Jerseys He will keep this Cutler experiment from becoming a total disaster. But 8-8 looks like the ceiling for this team with Cutler, who has a career 68-71 record as a starter. Miami should have stayed in-house, rolled the dice with Matt Moore and saved the $10 million to build the roster for 2018. Moore already has the respect of his Miami teammates and coach. That has been an issue with Cutler in the past, and he will need time to earn it.