Multiple people within the Miami Dolphins’ organization reportedly have been made aware that the team will explore all options at the quarterback position, including potentially moving on from Tua Tagovailoa.
According to CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson, the Dolphins are doing their due diligence considering the concussions and head injuries that Tagovailoa suffered in the 2022 season.
I’m told multiple people have been made aware within the #Dolphins organization that the team will explore all options at quarterback, per league source–this as the decision continues to linger on a long-term deal and the 5th-year option on Tua Tagovailoa. pic.twitter.com/c6Os0hdL7h
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 3, 2023
“League sources have told me again last night and today that there are members in the organization of the Dolphins who are aware that the team is exploring all of their options at quarterback, including potentially moving in a different direction from Tua,” Anderson said.
Tagovailoa suffered two confirmed concussions in the 2022 season, one in Week 4 against the Cincinnati Bengals and another in Week 16 against the Green Bay Packers.
The Dolphins smartly held him out for the remainder of the 2022 season after his concussion against Green Bay, but it has raised questions about his long-term ability in the NFL. The team knows it needs to have a plan in place in case Tagovailoa has another head injury.
Despite the injuries, Tagovailoa did have a terrific season for Miami in the 2022 campaign, and he was a big reason why the Dolphins made the playoffs.
The former No. 5 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft threw for 3,548 yards, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 13 games during the regular season. He also led the NFL in yards gained per pass attempt and yards gained per pass completion, taking advantage of the addition of star receiver Tyreek Hill to the team’s receiver room.
It’s unclear what the Dolphins will do at the quarterback position, and it may be hard for them to draft a quality quarterback in the 2023 NFL Draft since they don’t have a first-round pick.
Miami traded away a first-rounder to the Denver Broncos for pass rusher Bradley Chubb, and the team was forced to forfeit its other selection as punishment for a tampering investigation.
Last season, Miami had Teddy Bridgewater and rookie Skylar Thompson in the quarterback room behind Tagovailoa. Both players were forced into action during the season, but Bridgewater sustained injuries that kept him out of games as well.
Most notably, Bridgewater injured his throwing hand in Week 17, forcing Thompson to start the Dolphins’ Week 18 game and playoff matchup.
The Dolphins could still end up rolling with Tagovailoa in the 2023 season, but it seems like the team is keeping its options open as the offseason goes along.
