Miami Dolphins’ fans got a look at what the next month will be like without QB Tua Tagovailoa under center. It’s something that very likely be tough to watch over the rest of that span after Sunday’s 24-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field.
QB Skylar Thompson and the Miami offense struggled mightily, unable to generate more than 3 points after a gift turnover that set the Dolphins up at the Seahawks’ 6-yard line in the second quarter. A 2-yard drive led to Miami’s only points.
For the game Thompson was 13/19 for 107 yards, but even those pedestrian stats don’t tell the story of the tape. Thompson was indecisive, unwilling to release the ball and taking five sacks in the process. He refused to even release the ball on a half-ending hail mary where the offensive line gave him about ten Mississippis to get a throw off.
And to top it all off, Thompson was lost for the game with what the team called a chest injury after taking a sack in the second half on third down. Backup Tim Boyle came in and completed 7 of 13 attempts for 61 yards.
A truly disastrous day for the Dolphins’ offense, and while everyone holds some level of blame, it still starts and ends with quarterback play. What Miami has on its roster over the last two seasons is simply not good enough. And it’s something that general manager Chris Grier should have done better at managing this offseason.
Between Thompson and Mike White, Miami didn’t have much to fall back on if Tua Tagovailoa were to miss games. And given 2023 was the only season in his career where he hadn’t missed a game, that was a big risk to make by sticking with the status quo at QB 2/3 from 2023. No competition was brought in during the offseason or training camp, which was truly baffling.
Not surprisingly, the 2024 preseason proved that risk and concern to be justified, with Thompson and White both struggling mightily through the first two games before Thompson had a relatively solid performance in the preseason finale against the Buccaneers. But that still felt more like Thompson playing like and being the lesser of two evils than it did him convincingly earning a QB2 spot on an NFL roster.
There were QBs out there over the last two offseasons that could have been had- either by signing or trade – that could have made a difference on Sunday. Andy Dalton threw for 319 yards and 3 touchdowns in Carolina’s surprising 36-22 win over the Raiders on Sunday. Jameis Winston has an arm and experience that could have helped this roster. Even Justin Fields would very likely be an upgrade right now over this group. That level of player right now could have this offense significantly more competitive than what they have had on their roster over the last two seasons.
Yes, there are other areas on the roster that are worrisome. Miami’s shaky offensive line continues to crumble, with Terron Armstead suffering yet another injury (this time an eye injury) and Austin Jackson leaving due to injury in the fourth quarter. A starting secondary that seemed promising on paper got beat handily several times against Seattle’s strong passing attack. The Dolphins allowed over 5 yards per carry to reserve RB Zach Charbonnet with two rushing scores. There’s certainly a lot to worry about.
But when you can’t get adequate play from your quarterback, nothing else usually matters. And it certainly didn’t on Sunday in Seattle for the Dolphins.
And it’s a shame, because it could have been a different story with a little bit more forethought.
