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The Future for Miami Lies in the Dolphins Backyard

The QB position remains uncertain for the Dolphins, but the long-term answer may be closer than you think.

The Quarterback position is often considered the toughest position to play in sports. Every team wants the best passer behind center and it comes with its fair share of both praise and criticism. Very few players have been subject to the constant questioning that Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa has been. The biggest concerns have often centered around his durability. After not missing a snap in 2023, he suffered another concussion on September 12, which has him sidelined for at least four weeks and has many questioning his future.

The Future for Miami Lies in the Dolphins’ Backyard

Dolphins Future at QB in Question

The Miami Dolphins have their franchise QB in Tagovailoa. They just inked the lefty to a new deal in July, but the franchise finds itself in a conundrum after Tagovailoa landed on short-term IR. They saw their offense struggle mightily in a Week 3 loss to Seattle, in the absence of their quarterback, and the team could not capitalize on multiple opportunities presented by its defense, which held its own.

The Dolphins have averaged 26.8 points per game with Tua on the field and 13.6 without him in the last three seasons. The drop-off should not be as steep as it has been. There’s hope that new QB Tyler Huntley can provide a spark as he becomes familiar with the offense, but Miami needs to make sure they’re never in this position again. Tagovailoa’s contract ensures he’s a Dolphin, but his injury clouds the situation.

Tagovailoa will hopefully only miss four games, but the Dolphins have big decisions to make, regarding both Tagovailoa’s health and the future of their team.

Insert Hurricanes Heisman Hopeful

While the Dolphins await the return of their QB, the Miami Hurricanes are the #7 ranked team in the country and have arguably the nation’s best signal caller behind center. Cam Ward has captured the attention of NFL evaluators and is currently the frontrunner for college football’s most illustrious award. T

Through four games, Ward leads the FBS in touchdown passes with 14, is second in total TDs with 15, and in yards with 1,439. He’s on pace for 4,317 passing yards, 42 TDs, and just six interceptions over the year. The Hurricanes are averaging 52.2 points per game, and Ward has finished every game on the bench due to the Hurricanes’ margin of victory.

Simply put, he’s been the standard for QB play in college football.

Ward flirted with going pro last offseason but returned to play one more year in college to improve his draft stock. He came from humble beginnings playing first at FCS Incarnate Word, before playing two seasons at Washington State, and finally landing in Miami this season. The return has paid off as Ward has already seen his name begin to pop up in the first round of early mock drafts.

If the Dolphins can get their hands on him, they need to.

Ward is Special

There’s no concrete way to predict which players will succeed at the next level, but Ward certainly passes the eye test. Not only can he make every throw, but he’s incredibly accurate, has supreme command of the huddle, as well as phenomenal leadership.

And perhaps most impressive of all is his pocket presence and his apparent immunity to pressure. He always seems a step ahead of the defense.

Most importantly he’s in Miami’s backyard. Both the Dolphins and Hurricanes play their home games at Hard Rock Stadium, no team should have a better idea of what kind of prospect Ward will be than the Dolphins. Tagovailoa has shown he’s a franchise QB, but the injury concerns are real, and the decision to continue playing long-term, whether he returns this season or not, should be one that he makes with his family with his best interest in mind.

And it’s up to Miami to make the decision that’s best for them. Ward may very well not end up with the Dolphins, a lot depends on how the draft board shakes out after the season’s concluded, as well as other factors, all of which are down the road.

There are also zero guarantees when drafting players, but Ward checks all the boxes. If Miami has a shot to draft him, whether by trading up, and regardless of whether he sits behind Tagovailoa to start, or just takes the reins right away, it’s a decision the franchise will be happy they made.

Main Photo: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Phil Van Pelt

Phil Van Pelt

Phil Van Pelt currently calls the Treasure state (Montana) home, but is originally from South Florida. He's always remained loyal to his hometown squads and is a diehard Miami Hurricanes, Dolphins, Heat, Marlins, Florida Panthers and Inter Miami fan.

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