Backup quarterback is critical 'must' for Dolphins this offseason

The Miami Dolphins enter the 2021 NFL offseason with (presumably) their quarterback situation settled. The noise and pundits will continue to call into question the merits of Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa; but the rookie quarterback has completed his first NFL season without major injury and half a season’s worth of tape for the Dolphins to evaluate and move forward with. The challenge Miami faces this season be how to best surround their young quarterback with a winning supporting cast. That’s no easy feat, but thankfully the Dolphins do have plenty of assets at their disposal to overhaul the skill groups surrounding Tagovailoa.

But don’t sleep on the backup quarterback position being one of importance for the Dolphins to knock out of the park this offseason, too. Because veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick? He’s set to become a free agent. And at 38 years of age, Fitzpatrick may be ready to hang up the cleats for good. Fitzpatrick has been a phenomenal mentor to Tagovailoa and his impact on the quarterback room shouldn’t be overlooked. If Miami is going to move forward without him, the Dolphins will want to make sure they address the position with another strong presence.

Would this be done with the intention of pressuring Tagovailoa’s status as the starter, which some feel Fitzpatrick did towards the end of the season? No, not necessarily. But having some experience in the quarterback room would certainly help continue the development of Miami’s young starter. Add on the past durability questions of Tagovailoa, who missed a start in 2020 with a thumb injury, and having someone competent to step into action for a game or two is even more essential. So who are some options for the Dolphins to consider?

QB Tyrod Taylor

If the Dolphins want another “been around the block” presence at quarterback, Taylor is a logical fit. With Justin Herbert’s wrangling of the starting job in Los Angeles, Taylor feels like a potential candidate to be on the move — and a stop in Miami would help Miami rest easy knowing there’s someone with experience behind Tagovailoa.