Houtz Special: Are the Dolphins preparing Josh Rosen to start in 2020?

Could Josh Rosen be the Dolphins starting QB in 2020?

The 2019 season is quickly coming to an end. And with two games left to be played, most focus is now directed towards the 2020 offseason. An offseason, that many believe to be the most critical in franchise history. After all, Miami has upwards of $120-million and 15 draft picks at their disposal. What they do with them, remains the million-dollar question. More so, how will Chris Grier and his motley crew of NFL personal approach the most important position in football?

The quarterback.

Earlier this week, Jake Mendel took a look at some of the top available veteran QBs that could be available on the market. And for those paying attention at home, we’ve updated our 2020 QB tracker throughout the season. That can be found HERE. You can also expect to see several breakdowns throughout the offseason from me, as I introduce a new draft series on FiveReasonsSports.com

However, aside from countless prospects and veteran options, there’s one thing that many people refuse to buy into. And that is this- Josh Rosen, 2020 starting QB.

In Josh Rosen We Trust?

By now, we all know why Rosen isn’t starting for the Dolphins. Truth is, everyone in Miami is willing to put their body on the line for Fitzpatrick. And while this can be viewed as a knock towards the 22-year old QB, I fail to see it. Rosen is sitting behind a guy that’s played in the NFL for 15 years. A 37-year old journeyman that leads by example and does all the right things in the huddle. It took Rodgers many years before he got his opportunity. The same with Brady in New England. 

Maybe Rosen will never be the QB many scouts and experts believed he would be. Then again, maybe he just needs time. Perhaps, Rosen just needed a year to learn how to identify the mic LB, offensive line protections, and watch one of the NFL’s true leaders–command a locker room of young players, in a tumultuous season.

Before the trade to Miami, writers tried to push an agenda that Rosen had character issues and his personality wouldn’t fit in Miami.

Say what?

When asked if he was disappointed he is not starting for the Dolphins, Rosen gave this mature response.

“No. I mean ‘Fitz’ hasn’t done anything to lose the starting position thus far, so I don’t see why anything would change. I obviously would love to play if (Head) Coach (Brian Flores) called me up, but that’s not my decision and I think ‘Fitz’ has been doing a hell of a job considering all of the circumstances that have been going on this year.”

2020 is a unique year for the Dolphins and what many-including myself-deem as the most important in franchise history. No, Miami won’t be playoff contenders in 2020. They might not be much better than the record they currently have. But Rome wasn’t built in a day. Chris Grier and his staff have the resources. Now, they just need to find Miami’s QB of the future.

So again, what if that QB is already on the roster?

Maybe, they’ll draft Tua Tagovailoa or Jordan Love. Maybe, they’ll wait until next season with their eyes set on the 2021 class. But one thing we do know is that they WILL be drafting a QB. Grier and his staff will be turning over every stone, in hopes of finding the next Dan Marino. I’m confident Rosen is not the next Marino. But with a second-round pick already invested, why give up now? Why give up on a QB that is younger than LSU’s Joe Burrow? A QB that for the first time in many years, could be heading into next season with a familiar face at OC.

Rosen has plenty of flaws, as do we all. But many QBs throughout the history of the NFL needed time to develop. They needed time ‘for the NFL game to slow down’.

I wasn’t at training camp. But everything I saw throughout preseason told me Rosen looked to be not far behind Fitzpatrick, at least from a skill’s standpoint. But not even I can argue how much better Miami’s offense looked when Fitzpatrick took over vs Washington. Maybe, Rosen wasn’t ready. After all, he was thrown into the fire as a rookie in Arizona. And then again this season in Miami, behind the worst offensive line in football. Anyone would be nearing their breaking point. Coach Flores says that he continues to get better every day in practice and honestly, how bad could it be if they start Rosen and history repeats itself?

Maybe Rosen will be on the roster in 2020 and maybe he won’t. But Brian Flores had this very telling quote from earlier in the week.

From meetings to walkthroughs to all of the preparation, as a coaching staff, we’re with them on a daily basis and I think we have a good feel for what that is. To answer your question, for Josh and the steps he’s got to take, I think he’s taken those steps. I think in due time, he’ll get his opportunity.”

Could 2020 be the year of The Chosen One? Time will tell.

This article was written by Josh Houtz (@houtz) who refuses to give up hope on Josh Rosen.