The Miami Dolphins have officially made their transition at the quarterback position — the much anticipated change behind center has led Miami to the culmination of their rebuilding efforts beginning last January. Tua Tagovailoa is officially the starting quarterback of the Miami Dolphins. And with veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick currently serving as the backup after strong play to start the season, Miami has an admirable quarterback situation on their hands — this is the best shape the entire quarterback room has been in quite some time. And if Tagovailoa becomes everything Dolphins fans believe he can be, it might be the best shape the quarterback room has been in since the early 1990s.
But how do the Dolphins go from here. They presumably have their long-term quarterback to start, but the backup role is a big mystery. How should the Dolphins go about ensuring that the quarterback room remains a strength beyond this season?
They’ll have a few options.
Coax Ryan Fitzpatrick into another short-term deal to remain the backup
Fitzpatrick’s contract is currently set to expire at the end of the season and, based on how hurt Fitzpatrick seemed with Miami’s decision to make the change, he may ultimately want to go out on his own terms as a starter elsewhere. But if he’s receptive to the idea of staying in Miami for another few seasons as the backup signal caller, Fitzpatrick would be a great option for the Dolphins in the short-term scope as they’re learning just how good Tagovailoa can be. And with Tagovailoa’s durability still in question until he proves it shouldn’t be, having a veteran who can step in would bring a lot of value to a team that is expecting to be competing in 2021.