5 BEST DOLPHINS QB OPTIONS TO REPLACE TUA TAGOVAILOA, FROM SKYLAR THOMPSON TO JOSH DOBBS TO (NOT) RYAN TANNEHILL

The Dolphins saw quarterback Tua Tagovailoa stay healthy and start all 18 games in the regular season and playoffs in 2023. Unfortunately, it didn't take long for Tagovailoa to sustain his first concerning injury in 2024.

Tagovailoa suffered another concussion late in Miami's "Thursday Night Football" blowout loss to open Week 2. Given his history of having multiple head injuries, he is bound to miss some time with the team urged to err on the side of caution after giving Tagovailoa a lucrative contract extension in the offseason.

The Dolphins carry only one backup on the depth chart, Skylar Thompson, who once again took over for Tagovailoa. Thompson also needed to start a wild-card playoff game in an injured Tagovailoa's place vs. the Bills after the 2022 season.

Thompson would be in line to start next Sunday's game against the Seahawks in Seattle, but who are the Dolphins' other potential replacement options for Tagovailoa? Here's exploring the best fits for Mike McDaniel's offense, not including another first-round pick who formerly started a lot of games for Miami.

MORE: How long is Tua Tagovailoa out? | Tua Tagovailoa concussion history | What is 'fencing posture?'

Dolphins' best replacement options for Tua Tagovailoa

Skylar Thompson, Dolphins backup QB

Thompson has been around most behind Tagovailoa because the offensive coaching staff feels he's worthy to keep returning as a No. 2. Other than Mike White, who was cut by the Dolphins in the preseason and resides on the Bills' practice squad, he has the most direct experience under McDaniel.

MORE: Dolphins QB depth chart | Tua Tagovailoa contract details

Josh Dobbs, 49ers backup QB

Dobbs is No. 3 on that depth chart behind Brock Purdy and Brandon Allen. He was traded last season, too, making starts for the Cardinals and Vikings as a decent fill-in. He also can make a fair transition from Kyle Shanahan to former assistant McDaniel, and he proved last year that he has the veteran smarts to keep his teams competitive. 

Josh Johnson, Ravens backup QB

Tyler Huntley is back with the Ravens on their practice squad after leaving for the AFC North rival Browns in free agency, only to be cut before the season with Jameis Winston earning the top backup job behind Deshaun Watson. The Ravens could elevate Huntley back into a familiar No. 2 role behind Lamar Jackson and make Johnson, who was with Shanahan and the 49ers in 2022, available. The Dolphins would be the 36-year-old Johnson's seventh NFL team in a little more than seven years of action stretching from 2009 to present.

C.J. Beathard, free agent QB

Beathard is another former Shanahan QB out there after he was cut from the Jaguars in favor of Trevor Lawrence's new young backup, former Patriot Mac Jones. He made starts along with current Vikings backup Nick Mullens in 2017, the year the 49ers traded for Jimmy Garoppolo.

Jimmy Garoppolo, Rams backup QB

Garoppolo is serving a two-game suspension for violating the league's PED policy, but he will be available to play come Week 3. Should the Rams feel OK with just having Stetson Bennett behind Matthew Stafford, they could entertain calls from McDaniel and the Dolphins about the last long-term starter in San Francisco before Brock Purdy.

MORE: Why is Jimmy Garoppolo suspended for first two games?

BUT NOT Ryan Tannehill, free agent QB

Really? Really? OK, so he started for the Dolphins in a different time in a different offense and is 36. He showed major decline late in his time with the Titans, a shell of the rejuvenated starter who spiked there playing off an effective run-heavy system featuring Derrick Henry. There's a reason why Tannehill wasn't signed by any backup-needy team in the offseason: He doesn't have true backup makeup and can't be trusted either as a short-term replacement.

Tannehill was signed behind Marcus Mariota in Tennessee, but that was with the intent Mariota was on the brink of losing his job and the Titans needed someone to operate their passing game well with equal athleticism but a stronger arm and more successful experience. Once the Titans drafted Malik Willis and Will Levis in consecutive years, it should have screamed he was not a viable QB option anymore.

Still, expect to keep hearing Tannehill's name every single futile time a QB with a bad or inexperienced backup is injured and needs to miss time in 2024.

2024-09-13T04:27:59Z dg43tfdfdgfd