Brian Flores addresses Tua Tagovailoa's future with Dolphins

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported last weekend that one reason Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores yearned to start rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa over veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick versus the Los Angeles Rams in Week 8 was because the team wanted to see Tagovailoa in action just in case Miami is in a position to draft another top QB prospect next spring, specifically Clemson Tigers star Trevor Lawrence. 

As Cameron Wolfe noted for ESPN, Flores tried to set the record straight when speaking with the media. 

"There's a couple things out there, let's call it a source close to Dolphins thinking, saying that we are auditioning Tua," Flores explained. "I'm just going to tell you about my thinking. We brought Tua here because we believe in him, same as all the other draft picks. We believe in developing players ... and improving players on a daily basis. That would be the opposite of giving someone a 10-game audition. That's just my thinking on that, just so everybody's clear."

Flores added that the remainder of the season for the 4-3 Dolphins is more about helping Tagovailoa grow as an NFL starter than about the 22-year-old earning his keep in the lineup.

"I'm comfortable with what comes out of these 10 games," Flores said. "Since I've been here, I think everybody has heard me talk about the development of players, improvement on a daily basis. I just don't see how somebody close to Dolphins' thinking can say that this would be a 10-game audition. Not sure where or who that came from."

The Dolphins will start the offseason possessing their first- and second-round picks and also the Houston Texans' first- and second-round selections in next year's NFL Draft. Flores' comments lead one to believe Miami will look to bolster aspects of the roster other than the QB position via those assets.  

Tagovailoa completed 12-of-22 attempts for 93 yards with a touchdown in the 28-17 win over the Rams. Miami travels to face the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday afternoon.