Miami Dolphins: Brian Flores’ decision to not rush Tua Tagovailoa is wise

The Miami Dolphins aren’t in a hurry to insert Tua Tagovailoa into the starting lineup.

Despite the struggles of starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores is refusing to start future franchise signal-caller Tua Tagovailoa. Through four games in the 2020 season, the team’s top pick in last spring’s NFL draft has yet to see any game action.

The Fins’ south Florida fanbase is clamoring for the team to insert Tagovailoa. However, Flores has repeatedly suggested the team doesn’t intend to rush their quarterback of the future into game action because he isn’t ready yet.

He had this to say about his young quarterback not seeing the field entering Week 5.

"“We don’t feel like he’s ready yet,” said Flores, according to the Miami Herald. “He’s doing all the right things, but right now, we feel like Ryan Fitzpatrick gives us the best chance to win.”"

Brian Flores and the Miami Dolphins are moving wisely with Tua Tagovailoa.

Flores’ decision shows great wisdom for a few different reasons. First, the success of Flores’ tenure in Miami will largely be tied to the development of Tagovailoa. The organization believes the No. 5 pick is the future of the franchise and so there really isn’t any motivation for the coach to rush him onto the field now.

The Dolphins are in the midst of implementing a foundation for future success and it would be irresponsible to risk Tagovailoa possibly re-aggravating the injury. At the moment, this year’s team isn’t expected to contend for a playoff berth.

Tagovailoa, a former National Champion and All-American quarterback during his college days playing for Alabama head coach Nick Sagan’s Crimson Tide, suffered a hip injury that eventually required surgery last November in his final college season.

The injury made the lefthander one of the most polarizing prospects leading up to the draft in wake of the limitations COVID-19 had on the 2020 draft evaluation process. Despite the skepticism of many front offices around the league, Tagovailoa has since been fully-cleared and is patiently waiting to make his NFL debut.

Secondly, Miami (1-3) currently ranks third in the AFC East behind the Buffalo Bills (4-0) and the New England Patriots (2-2). Still, the Dolphins aren’t the laughingstock of the division. The downtrodden New York Jets (0-4) actually have the misfortune of being labeled “bottom feeders” in the group of franchises.

Because of this, Flores can continue to properly develop Tagovailoa in his system, as the rookie sits and learns the day-ins and day-outs of being a professional behind Fitzpatrick, a 16-year NFL journeyman. When the timing is right, the youngster will have ample opportunity to prove the Dolphins were right to invest a high-slotted draft pick in him.

Tagovailoa will have the benefits of learning a new playbook at his own pace while also working on his tan, as he soaks up the sweet-rays of Miami sunlight during Sundays on the sideline at Hard Rock Stadium. Picture him next to the Gatorade cooler donning a fresh pair of Pit Viper sunglasses.

Reigning-Super Bowl champion and former-league MVP Patrick Mahomes is a perfect example of a quarterback who wasn’t rushed. He waited patiently and sat almost his entire rookie season before Andy Reid started him in the final game of the 2017 season. Now, he’s considered to be one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL.

Would Tagovailoa and Dolphins fans prefer to follow the “Mahomes” plan — one that others like Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers and Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson followed — or risk playing too early and becoming a failure like Washington’s Dwayne Haskins?

There is no sure-fire answer about which is the proper route to take. However, Flores’ decision is the safe play. It’s wise and buys the coach a proper amount of time to mold the Dolphins into the winning-team he envisions. It’s also wise for both the health and development of his rookie Tagovailoa.

Finally, it’s a wise move for the organization and its fan-base who’ve been yearning for stability at the quarterback position ever since Dan Marino retired. That was literally last century, and the Dolphins are due for a field general that will last longer than the next sunset on Miami Beach. The future of professional football in Miami may have finally arrived. However, it’s not ready to take the field just yet.