Miami Dolphins quarterback Josh Rosen has endured more trials and tribulations throughout his first two seasons as a pro quarterback than most other top-10 overall selections. Rosen has seen two separate teams choose to invest in him, only to see those teams draft a quarterback in the top-5 of the following draft. And Rosen, a player with a presumed attitude problem based on the narratives about him coming out of UCLA, would have had an easy time getting disgruntled when it happened the first time, let alone the second time.
But Rosen hasn’t done that. Instead, he’s quietly recalibrated himself as a player and now, with the Dolphins, is cherishing the opportunities Miami is affording him. The chance to catch his breath. The chance to take the pressure off. And, most importantly, the chance to get better.
Rosen impressed the media during his media availability this afternoon with his positive “day by day” attitude to work here with the Dolphins. There has been no demand of a trade. No entitlement. Just work.
“I’ve noticed I’m a lot more comfortable behind center this year than I was last year. And I’m walking up to the line of scrimmage with a plan, and I’ve learned a lot,” said Rosen.
“I sort of did kind like a big mirror reality check and just wanted to completely turn inwards and see what I could do better. I kind of flicked myself in the head, like, ‘you’re literally in the room with one of the best minds to ever do it, and that’s ‘Fitz.’’ So I basically just sat there and tried to swallow up as much as I could from him and I took that sort of process into the offseason, and I’m pretty happy with how I feel behind center at this point.”
Indeed, all reports from Davie indicate that the Dolphins’ third-year quarterback is looking more consistent. Is he standout out as a potential starter? No, not necessarily. But Rosen pointed to his pre-snap work as being in a much better place than it was a year ago — and physical talent has never been the issue.
“I think I’ve been able to – more so than I ever have in my career – been able to eliminate guys pre-snap and start to zero in a little bit quicker on who I want to throw (to); and that’s helping me get the ball out quicker than I ever have and make fast decisions and not make my offensive line look bad by holding onto the ball,” said Rosen with a smile.
With the presence of Tua Tagovailoa and Ryan Fitzpatrick along with Rosen in the Dolphins’ quarterback room, there’s plenty of competition and opportunity to get better. And while Rosen is hopeful that his chance to start will come with Miami, he’s not really focused on those dynamics. He’s just trying to get better without the pressure of having to start — so that the next time he’s afforded the chance to play, he can make the most of it.
“I just want to be prepared for it because (opportunities to start) are few and far between, and I didn’t do great with the two that I already had. Not many people get third chances, so I’m definitely going to seize the opportunity when it comes.”
With time on his side in Miami, Rosen will have plenty of opportunities to continue to hone his process and be ready, whether that chance comes with the Dolphins or with someone else.