Dolphins Waiting for Tua Tagovailoa to Return Would Be ‘Franchise Malpractice’

The Miami Dolphins are handing over their Ferrari of an offense to a student driver and ruining their chance to have a meaningful season. Their approach to the quarterback room since Tua Tagovailoa got injured last Thursday has been delusional. Relying on Skylar Thompson and waiting for Tua to be healthy is franchise malpractice.

Miami should look under every rock, call every team and check in on retired guys to find a veteran to throw the ball to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Considering Tagovailoa’s medical history, they should have gone through this process in the offseason. Either they were naïve about Tagovailoa’s health, were afraid to have anyone threaten their starter or they really believe in Thompson.

Tagovailoa was in the building on Monday and coach Mike McDaniel said, “As far as I’m concerned, [he’s] in the protocol.” While acknowledging the seriousness of Tua’s latest concussion, the team’s actions say this is business as usual. They did sign Tyler Huntley off the Ravens’ practice squad. That’s not enough. This franchise hasn’t won a playoff game since 2000 and there’s no sign they’re going to break that streak.

Here’s my advice to owner Stephen Ross: Gather the front office, sit in a room and write down the name of every quarterback that has even a remote chance of becoming available. Then have general manager Chris Grier get on the phone and see what shakes loose.

This is a “no bad ideas” team meeting. Get as crazy as you want. From the second Tua got hurt, the Dolphins narrowed their thinking. It’s time for them to cast a wide net and at least ask the right questions.

If Ross and the Miami brass let me in the room, I’d want to have a conversation about two realistic options, two longshots and one Hail Mary …

Realistic

Carson Wentz, Chiefs: Of all the guys showing up on the list of potential Tua replacements, Wentz is the most talented. As maligned as he is, he did throw for 27 TDs and just seven INTs for the Colts in 2021 after multiple successful seasons in Philadelphia. He was awful in Washington but that now appears to be more a function of the Commanders’ ineptitude.

The Chiefs do need Wentz as a backup, but they need another running back even more. The Dolphins haven’t gotten much out of rookie back Jaylen Wright yet. Send him to Kansas City with a draft pick for Wentz. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid can coach up any quarterback and will be able to find another backup.

Wentz is a polarizing player. He could have been an MVP if he stayed healthy with the Eagles in 2017. In the right system, Wentz could be to the Dolphins what Sam Darnold is to the Vikings.

Jimmy Garoppolo, Rams: With receivers Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp hurt, the Rams have been forced into a rebuilding year. They might accept a draft pick for their backup QB. Garoppolo was with McDaniel in San Francisco and he’s at his best when he has amazing weapons around him. Don’t be fooled by how bad Jimmy G was last season with the Raiders. He knows how to run McDaniel’s offense and has proven he can win at a high level.

Less Realistic

Russell Wilson, Steelers: The Justin Fields experiment has had mixed results. The Pittsburgh Steelers are 2-0 with little offensive production. Not sure it matters who’s under center in Pittsburgh. But even if they turn to Wilson, they’re not paying him anything and his status is tenuous. Wilson isn’t as precise as Tagovailoa in the short and intermediary game. He can throw it long to Hill and Waddle and create space underneath for the run game.

From a height standpoint, Wilson is the best match. The Dolphins offense is designed for a diminutive quarterback… more so than the Steelers. Wilson has always wanted this kind of offensive coach and might still have a Kurt Warner-like second act in him if he found the right situation.

Tom Brady: ESPN’s Adam Schefter says Brady to the Dolphins is “not goanna happen.” Call anyway. You got caught tampering when he was under contract with another team and you won’t reach out legally now? Even if Brady is sending out the message that he’s not interested, he’s changed his mind in the past.

Brady probably wouldn’t consider this if the Dolphins really plan to bring Tua back in a month. This is the GOAT. If he would even think about it, then tell Tagovailoa to take extra time to heal.

Is this idea a function of how Brady has performed in the booth? Consider it a win-win if somehow the Dolphins convinced him to come back.

Total Stretch

Matthew Stafford, Rams: As long as we’re willing to consider extreme salary cap shenanigans and the possibility of a post-Tua world coming sooner than expected, the Rams starting quarterback would be the No. 1 choice. When you call about Garoppolo, make it clear Stafford would work as well.

Stafford’s future in Los Angeles seems bleak. Thinking the defense would be fine without the retired Aaron Donald was fantasy. Their receivers are snake-bitten healthwise. And eventually head coach Sean McVay could burn out. Even as he gets old, the thought of Stafford throwing to Hill and Waddle in McDaniel’s offense is enticing. He could have the same impact on the Dolphins he did with the Rams and help them finally get to the next level.