It’s called off-set language and works like this. If the Dolphins decide to Tannehill in the fourth year of the contract, the Dolphins would have to pay him the remaining balance on his deal. If Tannehill signs with another team, the Dolphins would either be on the hook for the difference between the two deals or off the hook if Tannehill’s new deal is equal to or more than the money owed by the Dolphins. Without that language in the contract they are negotiating now, Tannehill would be paid what the Dolphins owed him plus what the other team gives him. In other words he is getting paid twice.
The Dolphins chief salary cap officer is named Dawn Aponte who worked in the NFL’s league offices and she has repeatedly encouraged teams not to give in on the issue. Backing down now could be viewed as a weakness but would definitely be something the team could not go back on with future first round picks. Once they put out there they are willing to back off the demand, there is no turning around.
For now, the language of a deal is not what fans are concerned about. Instead, they wonder how the Dolphins can allow their future QB to stand in the parking lot instead of on the field. At first glance it’s easy to believe that the Dolphins are doing more harm than good to the team. The question here really is this. Was Ryan Tannehill ever a legit contender for the starting QB position? Likely not.