Dolphins close in on Bears’ Adam Gase for coach

SHARE Dolphins close in on Bears’ Adam Gase for coach
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Bears QB Jay Cutler and offensive coordinator Adam Gase. (AP)

Bears coach John Fox could be looking for a new offensive coordinator very soon.

Adam Gase, the hottest name on the head-coaching market, is meeting with the Dolphins for a second time on Saturday. The Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post are reporting that Gase will be the Dolphins’ next coach barring unforeseen changes. A deal is being finalized.

It’s been a whirlwind week for Gase. In addition to the Dolphins, the Eagles, Browns and Giants also has have interviewed him. His most recent was the Giants on Friday. He met with president John Mara and general manager Jerry Reese at the team’s headquarters. Gase first interviewed with Miami on Thursday.

The Dolphins’ job is open after Joe Philbin was fired in October after a 1-3 start. Tight ends coach Dan Campbell served as interim coach and also was interviewed for the job.

With his services in demand, Gase, 37, can afford to be selective. But the Dolphins are intriguing for several reasons, starting with quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who signed a six-year, $98 million contract in May.

Tannehill, the eighth overall selection in the 2012 draft, had a breakout season in 2014, but regressed this season as the Dolphins went 6-10.

Despite his struggles, Tannehill completed 61.9 percent of his passes for 4,208 yards (a career high), 24 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and an 88.7 passer rating. Gase’s multi-faceted offensive system includes some zone-read option, which Tannehill has run effectively.

The Dolphins also have burgeoning star receiver Jarvis Landry, a second-round pick in the 2014 draft. In his first two seasons, Landry has 194 receptions, 1,915 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.

The Bears are prepared to lose Gase. He was a coaching candidate last offseason after directing the Broncos’ prolific offenses with quarterback Peyton Manning in 2013 and 2014 under Fox.

Gase’s credentials only improved this season, with quarterback Jay Cutler posting a career-best 92.3 passer rating. He called Gase’s system the best he has been in.

“Probably some of the drawback [last year] is that he had Peyton and people were like, ‘Hey a lot of people can do it with Peyton,’ ” Cutler said in a recent interview. “But a lot of coaches aren’t Adam Gase. He does an extremely good job.

“I knew that coming into it that if we do OK that this was just going to boost him even more, and we’d probably lose him after one year. I’ve been prepared for it all year. … I hope he gets a job because he deserves it.”

Follow me on Twitter @adamjahns

Email: ajahns@suntimes.com

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