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The Miami Dolphins are really struggling with their quarterback situation in 2024, similar to what the Cleveland Browns went through last year. Here’s what’s going on:
Tua Tagovailoa started the season strong but ended up sidelined after suffering a concussion in Week 2. Skylar Thompson stepped in as the backup and even started in Week 3, but then he got a shoulder injury. Right now, he’s considered “day-to-day.” He was limited in practice on Friday, which isn’t a great sign. However, since the Dolphins play on Monday night, he might have a little extra time to recover, though he seems unlikely to play.
Tim Boyle took over when Thompson went down. He knows the offense pretty well since he was part of the training camp, but his career stats aren’t great—he’s 0-5 with 4 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, which raises some red flags about whether he can really get the job done as a starter.
The Dolphins recently brought Tyler Huntley in from the Ravens’ practice squad. He has experience stepping in during games and has a bit of an edge with his running ability (he has 3 rushing touchdowns in his career). The catch is that he’s only been with the Dolphins for a short time and is still figuring out the playbook.
If Thompson improves and gets the green light to play, he might be the safest bet since he’s already started this season. Boyle, having a good understanding of the offense, could be a more reliable option if Thompson can’t go. His familiarity with the playbook and experience working with the starting team could help keep things steady.
Even though Huntley is new to the team, his background as a backup could come in handy. Plus, his ability to run might bring a different dynamic to the Dolphins’ offense that Boyle doesn’t have.
Coach Mike McDaniel has a lot to consider when making his choice. How each quarterback performs in practice before the game will play a big role in the decision. Any updates on Thompson’s condition will be crucial in determining who gets to start. The opponent’s defense will also be a factor; McDaniel might lean toward the quarterback who can exploit their weaknesses best.
With the Dolphins potentially using their third starting quarterback in four games, finding some consistency will be vital. This situation isn’t a total disaster yet; after all, the Browns made it to the playoffs with five different quarterbacks last season. Still, a good decision from McDaniel on who to start could either help stabilize the team’s offense or make things even messier. No matter who it is—Boyle or Huntley—the Dolphins will need to band together and adapt if they want to stay competitive in the league.