Dolphins‘The season is in deep trouble, and it’s clear that sticking to the status quo could ruin their season.
Miami got blown away Seahawks The depth of Mike McDaniel’s offense was exposed in a 24-3 defeat on Sunday afternoon, without a capable QB under center. Regardless of how highly you rate Tua Tagovailoa, it’s undeniable that he has a good handle on McDaniel’s system and knows how to find the team’s array of YAC athletes to open up the field. That’s something backup Skylar Thompson couldn’t do, and neither could Tim Boyle when he had to suit up.
This was supposed to be a great year for the Dolphins, but so far it’s turned into a nightmare. As it is, Tua won’t be able to practice and play until at least Week 8, and even then that seems like a very promising timeline given the severity of Tagovailoa’s three concussions. While the schedule is extremely favorable until that point, there are games against the Titans, Patriots, Colts and Cardinals on the timeline — that’s also a curse. This is the easiest round of the Dolphins’ schedule, games in which you’d expect the team to go 4-0, but it’s hard to favor Miami in any of them right now based on the level of play.
The front office can’t afford to sit idly by. If they want to make the playoffs in 2024, they can’t just sit back and wait for Tua to return, especially after the Jets have made their mark and the Bills have proven they are the class of the division again. It’s time to make a bold move to try to salvage this season, while also planning for what happens if Tua is unable to return by the end of the season.
Three free agents worth bringing in
Ryan Tannehill
This has been the most favored name, and rightfully so. Tannehill’s apparent unwillingness to serve as a veteran mentor to a young quarterback left him unsigned in free agency, which is why he’s not on the roster right now. Miami, however, is a different situation. With the Dolphins he’ll just be asked to go out and make some short-yardage throws, without taking too much risk in the process. This isn’t really Tannehill’s wheelhouse as a QB, but he can make it work.
There has been plenty of acrimony in Tannehill’s first tenure with the team, but outside of the executive levels, this is almost an entirely new organization — and he’s still a player looking to prove he can stick in the league.
It’s unclear what contract he’ll demand, but at this point there’s no better option than to bear it, pay Tannehill, and hope he can get you to the point where Tua can take over come playoff time.
Cam Newton
Another name that has garnered a lot of attention, the former MVP has clearly stated that he feels he can still play and contribute at a high level. Yes, he has been out of football for a few years. Plus, it doesn’t really matter when your other options are as bad as what Miami can field right now.
Short-range accuracy has always been a slight weakness for Newton, who prefers to make big throws and explosive plays. However, his ability as a runner opens up more opportunities for a coach like McDaniels to take advantage of. This is definitely a situation worth looking at, because it could work out.
Desmond Ridder
Here’s a big drop before we get to our next name. However, we’ve seen in recent weeks what a change in scenery can do to a QB. Malik Willis is excelling in Green Bay, Sam Darnold is making a splash in Minnesota, and Justin Fields is finding his feet SteelersJust to name a few.
It wasn’t that long ago when Ridder was one of the top quarterbacks 2022 NFL DraftThere is a chance (albeit very slim) that he could join Miami and succeed, giving the team a young player who could be a potential long-term backup to Tua who could step in whenever the team needs him.
Sadly, it looks like they need someone else to replace Tua.
Three potential trading targets
Bryce Young
As soon as the Panthers benched Bryce Young, the Dolphins were in the spotlight, and rightfully so. If anyone can scheme around size it’s Mike McDaniels, and a horrific start to the season made it easy to forget that Young was just finding his footing at the end of his rookie season.
The hitch will be compensation. Right now there’s no motivation for the Panthers to move Young in exchange for a third-day pick, as has been speculated. Whether they intend to start him up again in 2024 or not, the organization has too much invested to end it so soon.
That means the Dolphins would likely have to overspend to get Young, which would require a lot of confidence in his ability from Alabama, and basically negate everything you’ve seen from him as a pro. That’s a tough pill to swallow.
Russell Wilson
Let’s discuss this, because it’s interesting. The Steelers are facing a QB controversy, with Russ set to return from injury, but the team is moving forward with Justin Fields for now.
A trade could solve this problem for both teams, giving the Dolphins a player in Wilson who can certainly run the offense they need, and do it very well. In the meantime, the Steelers will have to keep an eye on Fields and determine if he is the long-term answer for the position, or is still just a bandaid to carry them through 2024.
At this point in his career, you’re not getting an elite-level player like the Seahawks’ Russ – but rather an aging, yet still effective player when put in a position to succeed. Miami could be the right place for him, and it would take a lot of pressure off both organizations.
Carson Wentz
How important is a backup QB really in Kansas City? These teams have a history of trading with each other that goes back to the Tyreek Hill deal, and it shows that KC isn’t really worried about trading with a competitor inside the conference.
Wentz has steadily remade himself as a solid backup QB who can step in and make some plays when needed. He is an accurate passer who is adept at making short yardage throws, and that is exactly what the Dolphins need right now.
It’s not a flashy move, or one that’s likely to generate much excitement — but Miami could do a lot worse.