2023 NFL quarterback analysis: Miami Dolphins
Current starter: Tua Tagovailoa | Current backups: Teddy Bridgewater, Skylar Thompson
State of the position: Two or three meaty graphs on where the position stands. Supplement with media — a tweet or analysis from a trusted media source.
The Miami Dolphins just finished a 9-8 season with a 34-31 playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills with backup quarterback Skylar Thompson.
Starter Tua Tagovailoa had the right changes around him, and his play improved dramatically in 2022. Tagovailoa had moments reminiscent of his college days at Alabama, throwing 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
He had games where could have thrown more interceptions - like against Pittsburgh in Week Seven. But Tagovailoa's touchdown output on only 400 pass attempts is impressive and bodes well for the future.
Tagovailoa went 8-5 as the starter, meaning four losses (including the playoffs) came when backup quarterbacks had to start games.
Veteran Teddy Bridgewater went 0-2 as a starter, throwing for four touchdowns and four interceptions. Bridgewater also had the highest sack rate at 8.1% of the Dolphins' quarterbacks, due in part to lower mobility on some plays compared to Tagovailoa and Thompson.
Rookie Skylar Thompson got valuable experience many late-round backups never get so early in their careers. Thompson showcased some promise in his development, even though he didn't light up the stat sheet. He averaged 5.1 yards per attempt in the regular season.
Key stat: Tua Tagovailoa leads the league in yards per attempt (8.9) and passer rating (105.5).
2023 QB forecast: The Dolphins have spent big on Tyreek Hill, Terron Armstead and Bradley Chubb over the past year. Quarterback is a position they could cut costs on, with Thompson on a cheap deal and Tagovailoa accounting for $9.6 million against the cap in 2023, per OvertheCap.
The Dolphins could afford to keep two quarterbacks on their roster. Some concerns about this idea may be Tagovailoa's recent concussion and injury history, and Thompson's injury history in college. Thompson missed games in college at Kansas State, only playing in three games in 2020. Miami may look to free agency if they feel they need more insurance.
Tagovailoa returns to an offense he played well in last season. Skylar Thompson moves up the depth chart to second string in his second season while 30-year-old Teddy Bridgewater leaves in free agency.
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