There’s no question who the No. 1 option is at quarterback for the Miami Dolphins heading into training camp. First-string quarterback Tua Tagovailoa led the NFL with 4,624 passing yards and has been the face of the franchise since the 2020 NFL Draft. Still, controversy follows him throughout this offseason.
With contract negotiations still underway, Tagovailoa will be a topic of discussion in training camp. The Alabama alum won’t be alone in uncertainty in the quarterback room. A battle for the backup spot is at a head between two Miami returnees, and an undrafted rookie free agent could disrupt it.
Miami Dolphins 2024 Training Camp Preview: Quarterback
What Tua Needs to Work on and Potential Holdout in Training Camp
Tagovailoa is coming off an MVP-like season for the Dolphins. The Polynesian star through 17 games threw 29 touchdowns and posted a 69.3% completion rating. All of these stats are career-highs for Tagovailoa and have shown consistent improvement as the starter.
The four-year veteran heads into his final year on his rookie contract with the numbers to boot for a big payday. Tagovailoa stands fourth all-time in passing yards in Dolphins franchise history with 12,639 — all through 53 games. However, some question his long-term durability, his potential as a winning quarterback, and if it’s just the offensive scheme under head coach Mike McDaniels that has benefited him.
A potential holdout at camp can be evident with the lack of a new deal late in July. Miami experienced this three years ago when former Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard held out throughout minicamp and appeared at training camp without taking part in team activities on the field. Tagovailoa could threaten Miami to do the same.
However, if he decides to work through a contract dispute at camp, Tagovailoa will need to impress the organization as he did earlier at mandatory minicamp with 7-on-7 drills. One part of his game that he could work on this summer is his ability to extend the play. The 6-foot-1-inch quarterback can persuade doubters by using his legs throughout camp. Potentially, he could do this as well late in the preseason.
White, Thompson Will Battle for the Sole Backup Position
The Dolphins are in a unique situation when it comes to their backup role at quarterback. The top two candidates for the position have some league experience and have been with Miami through an entire season. In retrospect, it’s one of the most evenly-matched contests in training camp.
Quarterbacks Mike White and Skylar Thompson have both been battling to back up Tagovailoa since last season. White beat Thompson in this battle following the 2023 Training Camp due to part of his resume in the NFL. The 29-year-old has always been in a backup quarterback discussion since being drafted in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys.
White was supposed to be Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott’s backup, but didn’t last long in the Lone Star State. Dallas released him in 2019. The New York Jets picked him up shortly after to back then-New York quarterback Zach Wilson. When the 2021 second-overall draft choice by the Jets was underperforming in his rookie season, White came in and wowed the fanbase. As a backup, the Western Kentucky alum threw for 953 yards, and five touchdowns and started in three of four games played that season.
White once again was able to start in a few games due to Wilson’s poor play in 2022. He outshined his previous season’s stats and threw for 1,192 yards and three touchdowns. The Pembroke Pines, Florida native joined Miami as an unrestricted free agent after the season and went on to pass for 74 yards and a touchdown through six appearances in 2023.
Despite his recent success, there are still flaws to his game. White sometimes force opportunities in traffic. The quarterback has produced 13 interceptions throughout his NFL career — four more than touchdowns thrown. His ambitious playing style will harm him in training camp. Thompson, who hasn’t played a snap in a regular season game since 2022, is in a similar boat as White when it comes to this.
Thompson’s Athletic Ability Will Be an Advantage
The Dolphins’ seventh-round selection from the 2022 NFL Draft played in seven games his rookie year due to Tagovailoa and former Miami quarterback Teddy Bridgewater dealing with injuries. Thompson threw for 534 yards, and a touchdown, and was picked off three times that season.
The third-year quarterback has advantages, however, in training camp as the only player in the room who can extend plays with his legs. Thompson, unlike White, is a scrambler who could launch the ball while in motion. This will make him a fan favorite early in camp. Thompson will need to use his athletic ability at all times to keep himself ahead of White.
The Dolphins will face opponents like the Atlanta Falcons and the Washington Commander in joint practices this summer. These practices, and the games during the preseason, will be all for White and Thompson to sway Miami’s decision. Each snap for these two is vital for an edge. White comes into camp as the second-string quarterback on the depth chart, but that can change within weeks.
The Undrafted Rookie From Texas El-Paso
Amid Thompson and White’s fight for survival, Dolphins’ undrafted rookie free agent Gavin Hardison is the fourth quarterback in the room. The quarterback out of Texas El-Paso will be battling most likely for a spot on the practice squad. Thompson, who is battling for the backup position, is very much ahead of Hardison.
Hardison as a redshirt senior at UTEP took a step back in his game after two consecutive seasons of over 2,000 passing yards. The undrafted rookie threw for 947 yards and struggled with seven interceptions last season. Hardison, despite having an NFL frame, never dominated in Conference USA.
The 6-foot-3-inch quarterback’s playing style is best described as a confident deep-shot passer who can be effective on the move in play-action passes. Hardison’s biggest flaws are his lack of athleticism, accuracy, and quick decision-making toward training camp. Still, a lot of potential upside can be found for him in this quarterback room. Unfortunately, he may be a fun watch for the preseason, but not for the regular season.
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