Miami Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin has received a one-year extension

Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross announced that head coach Joe Philbin has received a one-year contract extension through the 2016 season. This news came out of the league meetings in Phoenix, Arizona but had been reported severeal months ago by various media outlets.

On the surface, this is questionable because Philbin hasn't had one winning season during his time with Miami. However, when you dig deeper, it's a great business move. The extension is not a guarantee that Philbin will coach the 2016 season. It is simply a safeguard in place to protect Philbin from being a lame duck coach and it's also a safeguard for Ross and the upper levels of the organization. 

If Philbin were to be highly successful this season and have his contract end at the end of the season, he would essentially be a free agent and a team could throw large amounts of money at him and promise him the world. If he felt it was time to move on, he may take the offer. Now, with an extension in place and if Philbin is highly successful, the Dolphins control his rights through 2016 and can work for over a year on a long-term extension.

So for those fans who are upset at the one year extension, it's a safeguard on both sides. Just remember that Ross holds all of the cards in this deal and can do whatever he wants, regardless of the number of years left on a contract.

This story was written by Matthew Cannata. Follow him on Twitter: @PhinManiacs