The Miami Dolphins are expected to add a quarterback to their roster following the injury to Tua Tagovailoa. Who could it be?
The Miami Dolphins are expected to add a quarterback to their roster this week, adding depth in the aftermath of starter Tua Tagovailoa sustaining a concussion last Thursday against the Buffalo Bills. Skylar Thompson appears set to replace Tagovailoa in the starting lineup, but Miami could consider bringing in a veteran to take over the top spot for as long as Tagovailoa is out.
That is where the question marks begin, however. How long will Tagovailoa be out? Is Miami adding a starter, and if so, for how long? Are they considering someone to work as the backup behind Thompson or as the third-stringer behind practice squad quarterback Tim Boyle?
Who could be in consideration for the Dolphins?
Mike White, Buffalo Bills practice squad
White would be the most logical addition for the Dolphins, having served as the backup last year and being with the team in training camp this year. He was cut in the roster moves to get down to the 53-man regular-season roster limit, then chose to sign with Buffalo. Is there animosity there that the Dolphins moved on to Thompson as the second-string quarterback? Would a 53-man roster spot be enough to entice White to return to South Florida?
White was a fifth-round pick by the Dallas Cowboys in 2018, making his NFL debut with the New York Jets in 2021. He has played in 14 games in his career, throwing for 2,219 yards on a 62.6 percent completion rate with nine touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
Ryan Tannehill, free agent
This is the choice most Dolphins fans seem to be behind, but it does not sound like it is a possibility. Tannehill, who is a free agent after the Tennessee Titans decided to move on to Will Levis, wants to be the full-season starter for a team. He is not looking to be a temporary replacement, and that would seem to be what Miami is offering. The idea of a Tannehill return to Miami does not seem to be in the future.
Miami selected Tannehill eighth overall in 2012, with he quarterback serving as the team’s starter for seven seasons. He was traded to the Titans as the 2019 free agency period began, clearing the way for Miami’s 2020 first-round selection of Tagovailoa. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in his first season with the Titans. For his career, he has thrown for 34,881 yards on a 64.3 percent completion rate with 216 touchdowns and 115 interceptions.
Tom Brady, retired/FOX broadcaster
Would Brady leave his new role as a broadcaster to return to the field, coming out of retirement for a second time? The Dolphins have made attempts to lure Brady to Miami in the past, including tampering with him, which led to a forfeiture of draft picks. Dolphins owner Stephen Ross would love to have the future Hall of Famer and a fellow Michigan alumnus playing in Dolphins aqua, but it does not seem a real possibility. On Sunday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter seemed to indicate Brady is not looking to leave the FOX broadcast booth. The problem for this scenario may be the same as the issue with signing Tannehill – temporary starter versus season-long starter. If Miami were to sign Brady, it would have to be as the starter for the rest of the year, and the Dolphins and Tagovailoa do not seem ready to end the injury quarterback’s season.
Brady was a sixth-round pick by the New England Patriots in 2000. He went on to play 23 seasons, the last three with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, throwing for an all-time high of 89,214 yards on a 64.3 percent completion rate. He also holds the record for most touchdown passes with 649, compared to 212 interceptions. He is a 15-time Pro Bowl selection, a three-time First-Team All-Pro selection, a three-time League MVP, and a seven-time Super Bowl champion.
C.J. Beathard, free agent
Beathard makes a ton of sense for the Dolphins, assuming he is healthy. He was released with an injury settlement by the Jaguars in August as he was dealing with a groin injury. If he is recovered from that issue, he could be looking for an opportunity, and one in Miami has just popped up. Beathard’s experience with the San Francisco 49ers has him familiar with Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel and the offensive system used in Miami.
A third-round pick by the 49ers in 2017, Beathard played in three seasons there before joining the Jaguars in 2021. For his career, he has played in 32 games, including 13 starts, with 3,886 passing yards on 60.4 percent completions, 19 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. He might not immediately replace Thompson as the fill-in starter, but he would provide veteran depth and is someone who is familiar with the Dolphins’ offense – even if he has not played for the Dolphins.
Jimmy Garoppolo, Los Angeles Rams
Garoppolo is a depth option on the Los Angeles Rams’ roster right now, coming off a two-game suspension for a violation of the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy. Garoppolo has stated the suspension comes from “bad timing” where he was receiving treatment for an injury with an exemption from the league, but it sounds like the treatement continued outside the window allowed by the exemption. He signed a one-year contract with the Rams this offseason. Could Miami make a trade with Los Angeles to acquire Garoppolo?
A second-round pick by the New England Patriots in 2014, Garoppolo has played for the Patriots, 49ers, and Las Vegas Raiders before joining the Rams for this season. His time with the 49ers could have him familiar with McDaniel’s offense. He has appeared in 81 games, including 63 starts, in 10 seasons, throwing for 15,494 yards on a 67.4 percent completion rate, along with 94 touchdowns and 51 interceptions.
