Editors' note: This post was updated after the Dolphins hired Adam Gase as their coach.
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- The Miami Dolphins finished 6-10 after a 20-10 win Sunday over the New England Patriots. Here are five questions facing Miami this offseason:
Will Adam Gase be the answer in Miami? The Dolphins found their new head coach in just six days. Adam Gase, 37, blew the team away during his two interviews. Gase will be the fourth consecutive head coach who comes to Miami without prior experience at the position. Can he succeed where other recent Dolphins first-timers like Joe Philbin, Tony Sparano and Cam Cameron failed?
What happens to the front office? Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said in the locker room after Sunday's victory over the New England Patriots that the team is in the process of finalizing a deal to make college scouting director Chris Grier the next general manager. Miami decided to promote from within, as Grier will work under vice president Mike Tannenbaum. The night before the season finale, the Dolphins announced they are parting ways with second-year general manager Dennis Hickey. He replaced Jeff Ireland in 2014 and spent two seasons with the team.
What is the Dolphins' biggest need? Start at linebacker, where all three starters didn't play up to expectations. Middle linebacker Kelvin Sheppard and outside linebackers Koa Misi and Jelani Jenkins had issues against both the run and pass. Miami entered Week 17 ranked No. 30 against the run, and opposing tight ends, slot receivers and running backs often took advantage of the linebacker trio in coverage. The team must fix its subpar linebacker play, which needs at least two dynamic playmakers to play behind stud defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. This should be a major target in both the draft and free agency. Other needs include guard, defensive end and running back depending on what the Dolphins do internally.
Will Miami keep its in-house free agents? The Dolphins' two biggest pending free agents are starting running back Lamar Miller, who led the team in rushing, and defensive end Olivier Vernon, who led the team with 7.5 sacks. Letting either player walk automatically creates a hole on the roster that needs to be filled. Miami will be hard-pressed to spend big to keep either of these two players, because neither will come cheap on the open market. The Dolphins enter the offseason without much room underneath the salary cap. However, there are several veteran contracts that could be on the chopping block to create space. Examples include receiver Greg Jennings, tight end Jordan Cameron and suspended defensive end Dion Jordan. Regardless, do not expect Miami to go on a spending spree like it did last offseason.
Should Miami add competition for Ryan Tannehill? Here is what we know: Tannehill isn't going anywhere for at least the next year or two. He signed a $96 million contract last offseason, and the entire $45 million in guarantees is paid in the first three seasons. Therefore, the Dolphins are invested in Tannehill, who regressed in some ways in 2015 and completed his fourth consecutive non-winning season. But nothing is preventing Miami from bringing in a veteran or highly touted rookie to push Tannehill in 2016. Anything is possible with a new head coach who might not be as high on Tannehill as the previous coaching staff. Tannehill, 27, hasn't competed for his job since his rookie year, and it might be time to prove himself again in front of a fresh set of eyes.