The Dolphins are bracing for the worst with Ryan Tannehill's left knee, but have turned to a veteran quarterback who has an established relationship with their head coach.

Jay Cutler agreed Sunday to sign with the Dolphins to compete with Matt Moore to be Miami's starting quarterback in Tannehill's absence. Miami officially announced the signing on Monday.

We have signed quarterback Jay Cutler. pic.twitter.com/6nzLzJus22 — Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) August 7, 2017

The deal is for one year and $10 million, plus incentives, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The contract has a $5 million salary base, with a $5 million bonus and up to $3 million in incentives, NFL Media reported.

Cutler's previous relationship with Dolphins coach Adam Gase proved to be the reason the team signed Cutler instead of former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

Tannehill's left knee buckled during a scramble Thursday morning and it was initially reported he simply had a hyperextended left knee. An MRI the next day proved inconclusive and he sought a second and third opinion. Tannehill, who is in his sixth season out of Texas A&M, was later seen walking into the Dolphins training facility with a slight limp.

Tannehill missed the final three games of the regular season and the Dolphins' playoff loss to Pittsburgh after spraining ligaments in his left knee. He had been wearing a brace on the knee during camp.

Last year's injury was a first for Tannehill, who had started all 77 games for the Dolphins since being selected eighth overall in the 2012 NFL Draft. Tannehill has thrown for 18,455 yards with 106 touchdowns and 66 interceptions in five seasons.

Offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen said Thursday he has confidence in Moore, but Cutler should provide a healthy competition.

Gase worked with Cutler for the 2015 season in Chicago. Cutler, who threw for 3,659 yards with 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions with Gase as the Bears offensive coordinator, stepped away from football in May. He quickly agreed to work as an NFL analyst for Fox.

Cutler, who was a Pro Bowler for the Broncos in 2008, was immediately tied to Gase and the Dolphins after news of Tannehill's injury broke. The 34-year-old quarterback with a proclivity for turnovers has thrown for 32,467 yards, 208 touchdowns, 146 interceptions with 38 lost fumbles over his 11-year career.

"We loved our time working with Jay and wish him the best back on the field this year with the Dolphins," Fox Sports said in a statement released Sunday evening.