Fresh Perspective: Building the 2022 Miami Dolphins – Quarterback

Welcome to the next installment of this offseason plan. Now that the cuts to the roster have been established, it’s time to start rebuilding the Miami Dolphins roster, starting with arguably the most important position of all: Quarterback.

Undoubtedly, Tua Tagovailoa is going to be with the team in 2022. New head coach Mike McDaniel made that abundantly clear during his trip to Miami. However, Tagovailoa is already being viewed by many as a bust. He isn’t measuring up to his fellow 2020 draftees, Justin Herbert and Joe Burrow.

Part of the reason for their success is because they are more physically gifted than Tagovailoa. Herbert in particular is a magnificent physical specimen, the perfect prototype QB. However, there is a more subtle reason for their greater success. Both Herbert and Burrow were given much more support than Tagovailoa.

Whether it’s fair or not, it feels like the narrative on Tagovailoa is already written. His arm is too weak, he’s physically limited, he struggles in cold weather. The list goes on and on. Surely, with these limitations, he can’t be the answer for the Miami Dolphins. Or so everyone says.

The opinion of this writer has been well-documented on Twitter and in articles. The Cult of Tua, or TuAnon – as they are now called – built Tagovailoa up as this spectacular, game-changing individual who would miraculously save the franchise from its state of mediocrity. Since that has not happened, he must not be good enough.

Or, alternatively, the type of player he is takes longer to develop.

Quarterbacks who are supremely physically gifted – Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert – can reach their ceilings faster than the likes of Tagovailoa. That doesn’t make him a bust, it just makes him different.

Free Agency

That said, there’s no reason why Tagovailoa shouldn’t have to compete for the starting job. Unless the quarterback position is settled beyond the shadow of a doubt, competition is always good to have. Jacoby Brissett, who is an impending free agent, was not good as a starter or even a backup. Even injured, Tagovailoa performed better than the veteran. It’s possible that if Brian Flores had allowed Tagovailoa to play when he said he was ready, Miami could have made the playoffs and he would still be the head coach. Regardless, Brissett is not the answer to push Tagovailoa.

However, there is a free agent veteran who could provide that competition. He could be had at a fair price, he fits the same quarterback mold, and he’s even a Miami native.

It’s time to bring Teddy Bridgewater home.

#Broncos Teddy Bridgewater had 8.9 YPA against the #Cowboys on Sunday and scored twice.

This 44-yard touchdown to Tim Patrick over league INT leader Trevon Diggs was captured beautifully by NFL Films. pic.twitter.com/NwYllhfjze

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 9, 2021

Back in 2019, the Dolphins were very close to signing Bridgewater to be their bridge QB. “It was very tempting,” Bridgewater said via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. “You have an opportunity to be home, play in front of your family and friends, the community you grew up was very tempting.”

Ultimately, he chose not to sign when things fell through. Perhaps this time, coming off a season-ending concussion, Bridgewater will be more open to competing for a starting job. Last season he was given a 1-year, $4,437,000 contract, with a vast majority of that contract guaranteed. He threw for 3,052 yards with 18 touchdowns, seven interceptions and an average of 7.2 yards per attempt in the 14 games he started for the Denver Broncos.

Bridgewater and Tagovailoa have the same style of play. Neither are big-armed, nor the most athletic. However, they are technicians with the football, which means the offense would need minimal change in substitutions. It’s a perfect fit, and Bridgewater could potentially be had for around $5-6 million dollars if it’s guaranteed. May the best man win.

NFL Draft

In all honesty, this QB draft class is bad. Even the projected first round picks are nothing special. With this in mind, Miami has no pressing need to draft a quarterback. If anything, they should hunt for developmental undrafted free agents after it’s over.

One possible target for the Dolphins to look at post-draft is Kaleb Eleby out of Western Michigan. In some draft circles, Eleby is projected as an undrafted free agent. His game is best served in an RPO system, which makes him a fit for what Miami is likely to do. Like Tua Tagovailoa, Eleby is slippery in the pocket, and he takes care of the football.

Kaleb Eleby to Brett Borske for the 20 yard TD! #WMU pic.twitter.com/ZsMWj95pJp

— ❌❌❌ (@FTB_Vids_YT) December 27, 2021

However, drafting a quarterback shouldn’t be Miami’s top priority. Assuming the Dolphins aren’t stripped of draft picks, the Dolphins will have ample opportunity to try again in 2023 if they so desire. 2022 should be about building around the quarterbacks already present. They will undoubtedly pick up a fringe free agent or a UDFA quarterback to throw in training camp, but that should be all.

Final Roster Projection

Between Tua Tagovailoa and Teddy Bridgewater, the Miami Dolphins should be set at quarterback. True, they both have injury history, but Bridgewater is the best fit and has the best chance to step in if something happens to Tagovailoa. Not only that, of all the QBs they could sign, Bridgewater can push for the starting job the hardest.

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So for the final 53-man roster, the count is simply these two:

• Tua Tagovailoa
• Teddy Bridgewater

That fills two slots on the roster. Next time, it’s going to be the running backs. With Mike McDaniel as the head coach, the Dolphins should consider finding a talented running back this offseason. Just because McDaniel makes it work with lesser backs, doesn’t mean it’s ideal. Miami needs to find talent at running back again.

It’s been a long time.

Luis Sung has covered the Miami Dolphins for numerous outlets such as Dolphins Wire for seven years. Follow him on Twitter: @LuisDSung

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