The Miami Dolphins have taken the first step in reuniting head coach Adam Gase with a running back from his brief tenure as offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Dolphins signed Broncos running back C.J. Anderson to a four-year offer sheet—leaving Denver with five days to either match the deal or lose him to Miami for no compensation.
Dolphins signed Broncos restricted free-agent running back CJ Anderson to a 4-year offer sheet. Denver has 5 days to match or lose.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2016
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Anderson, a former undrafted free agent, flourished in Gase’s offense in 2014, rushing for almost 900 yards and eight touchdowns while also catching 34 passes for 324 yards.
The Dolphins could use help at running back after losing Lamar Miller to the Houston Texans.
Meanwhile, the Broncos could pay the price for giving Anderson the lowest restricted tender. A first- or second-round tender would have at least given Denver some kind of compensation, while also lessening the probability of a team like the Dolphins making a substantial offer sheet.
The Chicago Bears and New England Patriots were also reportedly interested in Anderson.
In Miami, Anderson should slot in as Gase’s go-to running back. At the very least, he’ll be the first option in a tandem with 2015 draft pick Jay Ajayi.
The Broncos could still match the deal. However, if the price is outside their comfort range, general manager John Elway could face the real possibility of losing both his top two quarterbacks (Peyton Manning, Brock Osweiler) and running backs (Anderson, Ronnie Hillman) in the same offseason. The Broncos defense has also been thinned by free agency, with Malik Jackson and Danny Trevathan both signing big deals elsewhere.
Anderson, 25, has 13 rushing touchdowns and a 4.8-yard career average over three seasons in the NFL.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
