Dolphins' Darren Waller expected to be ready for Week 1, but 2024 serves a reminder that late starts don't guarantee results for veteran stars

"I don't think there's any doubt that Darren will be ready for the start of the regular season. I think he is working extremely hard and it is clear that he is progressing and that he will be ready for the start of the regular season."

- Darren Waller's agent Drew Rosenhaus with Josh Moser

Waller does deserve some slack for his ramp-up period from a year off. His activation from the reserve/retired list was approximately one month ago and he's had just two full weeks since the Dolphins had their report date for camp. On the other hand, you would totally expect Rosenhaus to go to bat for Waller and voice confidence that he will be ready to roll. Rosenhaus represents both Waller and former Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith, so he's played a key role in this transition for the Dolphins. The vote of confidence is effectively part of the job description.

It's not worth pressing the panic button by any means. But quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is a rhythm and timing passer. By that hand, if he does not log enough time on task with Waller, the pair will be at risk of misfires and mistakes. That's exactly what we saw happen in 2024 between Tagovailoa and Beckham Jr.

While the Dolphins practiced last August, Beckham Jr. jogged 60-yard striders on the far field and worked on his conditioning while recovering from an injury. He would go on to miss the start of the regular season and by the time Tagovailoa returned to the starting lineup after a Week 2 concussion, the pair never got on the same page.

There were murmurs and rumors of friction between Beckham Jr. and some of the other players on the team, as well — which sets the stage for Darren Waller to be a better investment even if he doesn't actually come out firing on all cylinders as a passing weapon. To start: be a good teammate! Stay engaged in what this team is doing daily. Shoot, celebrate touchdowns by your teammates — there was more than one occasion last year where Beckham Jr. simply walked off the field amid a teammate's touchdown, looking disinterested or perturbed that it wasn't him who saw the football thrown his way.

You know, the basics of caring. If Waller can give Miami that, he'll already be ahead of the Odell Beckham Jr. experience.

The Dolphins didn't bring Waller in to clap for first downs and high-five teammates, though. They brought him here to be a weapon for the offense. Rosenhaus' vote of confidence that Waller will be ready is great. But after the scars of last year's failed experience, the Dolphins are likely eager to see it for themselves — because just being on the field doesn't guarantee a connection with Tagovailoa.