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An NFL teams aspirations of a successful run to the Super Bowl can be thwarted on a single play any moment throughout the season should an injury to their starting QB occur. We saw the early effects of it in the first game of the season last year when Aaron Rodgers went down five plays into the game. No single player outside of the starting quarterback has as much impact to the success or failure of a football season for each and every team. The level of play by each starting quarterback is also a big determining factor in the success or failure of each team season by season. Some are capable of elevating the play of others around them and some are only required to manage the game for the team to have a successful season. Some are a major reason for the team not winning at a higher level. Most starting quarterbacks are viewed as team leaders and voted by their peers as captains. Players buy in to the teams prospect of success in most cases based on the confidence they have in the starting QB to be able to continue running the offense at the same level that the starting quarterback was able to do. There are times when the coaches can mask the weaknesses of their backup QB with scheming and relying on other areas of their offense, such as the running game. Few teams are able to overcome the loss of their starting quarterback and still have a successful season.
A team takes a huge loss, in most instances, to the quality of play on the field when they lose their starting quarterback to injury, whether short or long term. In most cases the backup quarterback is in that role because his talent either isn't at the level of a starter or he hasn't yet developed to the level of a starter. In some cases, it's because he hasn't yet been given the chance to prove himself in game situations whether or not he can play at the level of a starting quarterback in the NFL. Losing the starting quarterback can be demoralizing to the confidence within the team and certainly within the fanbase initially. The team can rally around the backup showing confidence in him, which will grow, or fizzle quickly, based on the immediate performance by him. In most cases it's the latter. There of course are exceptions. Just last year the Browns took several hits to their quarterback room and then found success by signing Joe Flacco, an aging free agent off his couch mid-season. There are other instances throughout the history of the NFL where the backup QB has taken the team to new heights, but those examples are far and few in between.
The injury to Tua Tagovailoa in the Thursday night game between the Dolphins and the Bills will undoubtedly sideline Tua for the near future and possibly for the season. At this point many are calling on him to hang up his cleats. Many have thought he should have already done so. Everyone should hope he has a speedy and lasting recovery. Ultimately it will be his decision to return or not to play once he is medically cleared to do so. We will soon see what lay ahead.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins are forced to carry on their season, at least for now, with their backup quarterback. There are some unsigned veteran free agents available they could consider bringing on board. There's also the possibility of Miami finding a trade partner to acquire another quarterback that they think gives them a better chance at winning than who they currently have available on their roster. Another approach is to poach a quarterback from another teams practice squad roster. The Dolphins are facing critical decisions after just two games as to what to do regarding who will lead them for part or the remainder of the 2024 season. Every team is just one play away from a similar situation.
Let's take a look around the league at the current depth charts at the quarterback position from team to team including players on injured reserve and on practice squads. Let's first start with available unsigned veteran free agents.
Unsigned Available Veteran Free Agents
1. Ryan Tannehill
2. Trevor Siemian
3. Kellen Mond
4. Max Duggan
5. Nate Sudfeld
6. P.J. Walker
7. C.J. Beathard
Teams Quarterback Rooms
Arizona Cardinals Kyler Murray, Clayton Tune, Desmond Ridder (PS)
Atlanta Falcons Kirk Cousins, Michael Penix, Jr., Nathan Peterman (PS)
Baltimore Ravens Lamar Jackson, Josh Johnson, Tyler Huntley (PS), Devin Leary (PS)
Buffalo Bills Josh Allen, Mitchell Trubisky, Mike White (PS), Shane Buechele (IR)
Carolina Panthers Bryce Young, Andy Dalton, Jake Plummer (PS)
Chicago Bears Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent
Cincinnati Bengals Joe Burrow, Jake Browning, Logan Woodside (PS)
Cleveland Browns Deshaun Watson, Jameis Winston, Dorian Robinson-Thompson
Dallas Cowboys Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush, Trey Lance
Denver Broncos Bo Nix, Jarret Stidham, Zach Wilson
Detroit Lions Jared Goff, Hendon Hooker, Jake Fromm (PS)
Green Bay Packers Jordan Love, Malik Willis, Sean Clifford (PS)
Houston Texans C. J. Stroud, Davis Mills, Kedon Slovis (PS), Case Keenum (IR)
Indianapolis Colts Anthony Richardson, Joe Flacco, Same Ehlinger
Jacksonville Jaguars Trevor Lawrence, Mac Jones, John Rhys Plumlee (PS)
Kansas City Chiefs Patrick Mahomes, Carson Wentz, Bailey Zappe (PS)
Las Vegas Raiders Gardner Minshew, II, Adian O'Connell, Carter Bradley (PS)
Los Angelas Chargers Justin Herbert, Easton Stick, Taylor Heinicke
Los Angelas Rams Matthew Stafford, Stetson Bennett, Jimmy Garoppolo (Reserve/Suspended by Commissioner)
Miami Dolphins Tua Tagovailoa, Skylar Thompson, Tim Boyle (PS)
Minnesota Vikings Sam Darnold, Nick Mullens, Brett Rypien, J.J. McCarthy (IR)
New England Patriots Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye, Joe Milton, II
New Orleans Saints Derek Carr, Jake Haener/Spencer Rattler
New York Giants Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, Tommy DeVitto
New York Jets Aaron Rodgers, Tyrod Taylor, Adrian Martinez (PS), Jordan Travis (Reserve/Non-Football Injury)
Philidelphia Eagles Jalen Hurts, Kenny Pickett, Tanner McKee, Will Grier (PS)
Pittsburgh Steelers Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Kyle Allen
San Francisco 49ers Brock Purdy, Brandon Allen/Joshua Dobbs, Tanner Mordecal (PS)
Seattle Seahawks Geno Smith, Sam Howell, Jaren Hall (PS)
T.B. Buccaneers Baker Mayfield, Kyle Trask
Tennessee Titans Will Levis, Mason Rudolph
Wash. Commanders Jayden Daniels, Jeff Driskel, Sam Hartman, Marcus Mariota (IR)
The Dolphins currently have Skylar Thompson on their active roster as QB#2 behind Tua. They also have Tim Boyle on their practice squad.
If you were making the decisions of what to do at the QB position for the Dolphins in their current situation what would you do?
Sit tight, start Skylar Thompson and elevate Tim Boyle from the practice squad?
Trade for a potential starter? / Who?
Poach a QB from another teams practice squad and place him on the active 53-man roster.
Place Tua on IR or just wait it out until he gets medically cleared to play?
A team takes a huge loss, in most instances, to the quality of play on the field when they lose their starting quarterback to injury, whether short or long term. In most cases the backup quarterback is in that role because his talent either isn't at the level of a starter or he hasn't yet developed to the level of a starter. In some cases, it's because he hasn't yet been given the chance to prove himself in game situations whether or not he can play at the level of a starting quarterback in the NFL. Losing the starting quarterback can be demoralizing to the confidence within the team and certainly within the fanbase initially. The team can rally around the backup showing confidence in him, which will grow, or fizzle quickly, based on the immediate performance by him. In most cases it's the latter. There of course are exceptions. Just last year the Browns took several hits to their quarterback room and then found success by signing Joe Flacco, an aging free agent off his couch mid-season. There are other instances throughout the history of the NFL where the backup QB has taken the team to new heights, but those examples are far and few in between.
The injury to Tua Tagovailoa in the Thursday night game between the Dolphins and the Bills will undoubtedly sideline Tua for the near future and possibly for the season. At this point many are calling on him to hang up his cleats. Many have thought he should have already done so. Everyone should hope he has a speedy and lasting recovery. Ultimately it will be his decision to return or not to play once he is medically cleared to do so. We will soon see what lay ahead.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins are forced to carry on their season, at least for now, with their backup quarterback. There are some unsigned veteran free agents available they could consider bringing on board. There's also the possibility of Miami finding a trade partner to acquire another quarterback that they think gives them a better chance at winning than who they currently have available on their roster. Another approach is to poach a quarterback from another teams practice squad roster. The Dolphins are facing critical decisions after just two games as to what to do regarding who will lead them for part or the remainder of the 2024 season. Every team is just one play away from a similar situation.
Let's take a look around the league at the current depth charts at the quarterback position from team to team including players on injured reserve and on practice squads. Let's first start with available unsigned veteran free agents.
Unsigned Available Veteran Free Agents
1. Ryan Tannehill
2. Trevor Siemian
3. Kellen Mond
4. Max Duggan
5. Nate Sudfeld
6. P.J. Walker
7. C.J. Beathard
Teams Quarterback Rooms
Arizona Cardinals Kyler Murray, Clayton Tune, Desmond Ridder (PS)
Atlanta Falcons Kirk Cousins, Michael Penix, Jr., Nathan Peterman (PS)
Baltimore Ravens Lamar Jackson, Josh Johnson, Tyler Huntley (PS), Devin Leary (PS)
Buffalo Bills Josh Allen, Mitchell Trubisky, Mike White (PS), Shane Buechele (IR)
Carolina Panthers Bryce Young, Andy Dalton, Jake Plummer (PS)
Chicago Bears Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent
Cincinnati Bengals Joe Burrow, Jake Browning, Logan Woodside (PS)
Cleveland Browns Deshaun Watson, Jameis Winston, Dorian Robinson-Thompson
Dallas Cowboys Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush, Trey Lance
Denver Broncos Bo Nix, Jarret Stidham, Zach Wilson
Detroit Lions Jared Goff, Hendon Hooker, Jake Fromm (PS)
Green Bay Packers Jordan Love, Malik Willis, Sean Clifford (PS)
Houston Texans C. J. Stroud, Davis Mills, Kedon Slovis (PS), Case Keenum (IR)
Indianapolis Colts Anthony Richardson, Joe Flacco, Same Ehlinger
Jacksonville Jaguars Trevor Lawrence, Mac Jones, John Rhys Plumlee (PS)
Kansas City Chiefs Patrick Mahomes, Carson Wentz, Bailey Zappe (PS)
Las Vegas Raiders Gardner Minshew, II, Adian O'Connell, Carter Bradley (PS)
Los Angelas Chargers Justin Herbert, Easton Stick, Taylor Heinicke
Los Angelas Rams Matthew Stafford, Stetson Bennett, Jimmy Garoppolo (Reserve/Suspended by Commissioner)
Miami Dolphins Tua Tagovailoa, Skylar Thompson, Tim Boyle (PS)
Minnesota Vikings Sam Darnold, Nick Mullens, Brett Rypien, J.J. McCarthy (IR)
New England Patriots Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye, Joe Milton, II
New Orleans Saints Derek Carr, Jake Haener/Spencer Rattler
New York Giants Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, Tommy DeVitto
New York Jets Aaron Rodgers, Tyrod Taylor, Adrian Martinez (PS), Jordan Travis (Reserve/Non-Football Injury)
Philidelphia Eagles Jalen Hurts, Kenny Pickett, Tanner McKee, Will Grier (PS)
Pittsburgh Steelers Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Kyle Allen
San Francisco 49ers Brock Purdy, Brandon Allen/Joshua Dobbs, Tanner Mordecal (PS)
Seattle Seahawks Geno Smith, Sam Howell, Jaren Hall (PS)
T.B. Buccaneers Baker Mayfield, Kyle Trask
Tennessee Titans Will Levis, Mason Rudolph
Wash. Commanders Jayden Daniels, Jeff Driskel, Sam Hartman, Marcus Mariota (IR)
The Dolphins currently have Skylar Thompson on their active roster as QB#2 behind Tua. They also have Tim Boyle on their practice squad.
If you were making the decisions of what to do at the QB position for the Dolphins in their current situation what would you do?
Sit tight, start Skylar Thompson and elevate Tim Boyle from the practice squad?
Trade for a potential starter? / Who?
Poach a QB from another teams practice squad and place him on the active 53-man roster.
Place Tua on IR or just wait it out until he gets medically cleared to play?
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