Tua Tagovailoa will have to work for the job with the Dolphins
With the fifth pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins selected Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to be the next face of their franchise. However, it may be time to pump the brakes on seeing Tua in action week one of the 2020 season as veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick looks to potentially still be the head dog in South Beach under center.
Fitzpatrick, a 37 year old journeyman quarterback who is on his eight team throughout his fifteen year career, filled in well for the Dolphins in 2019. Last year, the Dolphins were expected to tank, but in the first year of the Brian Flores campaign, the under talented team still managed to win five games.
Given his success and his win in competition over backup quarterback and 2018 first rounder Josh Rosen, Fitzpatrick must be unseated from the starting role in Miami. In fact, there are many in the building in South Beach who believe that Fitzpatrick will see the first snap week one for the Dolphins.
"“One person who spoke to the Dolphins’ front office came away with the impression that while it’s likely Fitzpatrick will begin the season as the starter, Miami isn’t opposed to playing Tagovailoa as a rookie if he earns the opportunity at some point this season” (via Miami Herald)."
While the notion of redshirting Tua Tagovailoa due to his hip injury is too far out the window as he has been medically cleared, the fifth overall pick will have his work cut out for him in terms of winning the starting job in Miami. Will he be able to beat out Fitzpatrick in training camp this summer and take over as the new top dog for the Dolphins, or will it be a few weeks to months before Tagovailoa even steps foot on the field?