Matt Moore signs new contract with Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins aren't finished re-signing their own.

Harrison: Team needs in free agency

With free agency set to kick off at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 12, Elliot Harrison identifies priorities for all 32 NFL teams. **More ...**

NFL.com's Jeff Darlington reported Friday that quarterback Matt Moore has decided to stay in South Florida, signing a two-year contract worth $8 million with the Dolphins, according to a source close to the player. This comes hours after Miami agreed to re-sign wide receiver Brian Hartline on Thursday night.

Terms of Moore's new contract were not immediately known, but the Dolphins confirmed the news of both signings on Friday.

It's smart work by general manager Jeff Ireland. Moore widely was considered the top quarterback in a thin NFL free-agent market and likely would have been courted by multiple teams. Moore wants to be a starter, but he's comfortable with the Dolphins and close friends with second-year quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

The Dolphins weren't about to let Hartline walk away, either, agreeing to sign the wideout to a contract that pays out nearly $31 million over five years. Ireland has said repeatedly he wants to surround Tannehill with weapons, but retaining Moore gives Miami organization-wide insurance that Pat Devlin isn't the next guy up under center.

Moore was a gritty performer in 2011, starting 12 games for the Dolphins and earning team MVP honors. His camp must have known there wouldn't be major money coming his way on the open market, but he's certain to become one of the NFL's highest-paid backups with the Dolphins.

Another wise move by the Dolphins with the launch of free agency just days away.

Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.