The Miami Dolphins’ offense will definitely sport a different look and feel next season than the one that Dolphins fans came to know towards the end of 2019. The triggerman is still likely Ryan Fitzpatrick — the Dolphins expect him back. But the offensive style is going to be one that invokes more modern spread concepts to the field. The offensive line may be completely different and sporting 4-5 new starters. And the man calling the plays will be Chan Gailey, not Chad O’Shea.
A fascinating sub-plot to Gailey taking the position from O’Shea in 2020 is that he’s actually served as the Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator before.
In the year 2000.
Back then, Gailey had signed on to call plays for Dave Wannstedt’s Dolphins team. Miami would go 11-5 on the back of one of the NFL’s most ferocious defenses — Gailey’s offense averaged 20.2 points per game (16th in the league). The following season saw Miami again go 11-5, this time scoring 21.5 points per game (8th in the league).
The game has changed. So has Gailey. The offense Gailey ran at the start of the millennium isn’t equivalent to the one that he ran just a few seasons ago in New York with the Jets. But key variables stay the same — including one that Gailey’s former head coach dished on via the Miami Herald.
“Chan wants to move the quarterback. He always has, at least. He wants an athletic quarterback. So I think you have to take a look at that when you look at quarterbacks,” said Wannstedt.
“Could he take a drop-back quarterback? Sure. But I know what Chan likes to do and what he’s had the most success doing. An athletic quarterback that can move around in the pocket a little bit. It doesn’t have to be Patrick Mahomes. But that’s what he liked about Jay Fiedler. He could move some on his feet.”
Dolphins fans might not be overly inspired at invoking the thought of Jay Fielder, but Miami has more appealing options on the table in the 2020 NFL Draft. Whether that be Tua Tagovailoa or Justin Herbert or Jordan Love, Miami will have their fair share of athleticism to pick from at the quarterback position.
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