Matthew Stafford Detroit Lions
Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions celebrates after throwing a touchdown to Michael Roberts #80 (not pictured) against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Miami, Florida. Michael Reaves/Getty Images

The Miami Dolphins finally moved on from Ryan Tannehill this offseason, trading him to the Tennessee Titans. It sounds like the team attempted to find a new starting quarterback even before the start of the 2018 NFL season.

According to The Miami Herald, former Dolphins’ head coach Adam Gase led the way in trying to replace Tannehill. He reportedly reached out to Detroit Lions’ head coach Matt Patricia about the possibility of acquiring Matthew Stafford.

Gase and the Dolphins likely would’ve been willing to trade at least their 2018 first-round draft pick, though it sounds like the talks didn’t progress very far. The Lions had plans of competing for the playoffs with Stafford at the helm, and trading him would’ve resulted in a devastating cap hit.

Miami finished with a 7-9 record as Tannehill was limited to 11 games because of injuries. Gase was fired at the end of the season and hired to be the head coach of the New York Jets shortly afterward.

Detroit also went 7-9, finishing below .500 for the first time in three years. Stafford had one of his worst statistical seasons, posting an 89.9 passer rating with 3,777 passing yards, 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Stafford signed a $135 million contract just before the start of the 2017 season.

The Dolphins signed Ryan Fitzpatrick this offseason. They might also use their first-round draft pick on a quarterback.

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