Miami Dolphins: Finding Tua Tagovailoa the best mentor is vital

Finding the best mentor for Tua Tagavailoa is key to the Dolphins sustained success as the future is bright but only if the quarterback continues to grow.

Essentially from the moment Deshaun Watson trade rumors began circulating, it’s been floated that the Miami Dolphins could trade Tua Tagovailoa after his rookie season with the franchise. However, the focus of the franchise should be on the development of the fifth-overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. To do so, it’s important that they pair him with a backup that can help him grow and improve.

Ryan Fitzpatrick is slated to become a free agent this offseason. Given that the veteran believes he could still be a starter, it seems likely he could leave Miami. But given that he was utilized as a proverbial closer for the Dolphins last season, that might actually be best for Tagovailoa and his development.

The Harvard product was too good to be the backup last season, even if Brian Flores felt compelled to shift to the future of the franchise while the team was in the playoff hunt. However, it was telling when Fitzpatrick was inserted as the starter in the fourth quarter against the Broncos and Jets. Every head coach is judged by wins and losses, so the reasoning behind inserting the veteran into those sitautions was sound.

With that said, the emotional effect of subbing out a rookie quarterback when the game is on the line can’t go understated. What does it suggest if your head coach trusts you for three quarters but not the final frame when the outcome is in question?

For the sake of Tua’s growth and development, that situation can’t be repeated. Subsequently, the Dolphins must be looking for a veteran backup that Tagovailoa can learn from but that won’t represent any danger to the Alabama product’s role in the offense. After all, garnering experience in those situations will only help him moving forward — especially if it shows the coaching staff is fully behind him.

How can the Dolphins most effectively mentor Tua Tagovailoa?

So who would be a good mentor for Tagovailoa? Well, the Dolphins have already taken one step correctly, hiring Charlie Frye as the quarterbacks coach. Frye has a pre-existing relationship with Tua and can help mine the talent out of the young quarterback. On the roster, though, there are other options to put into the QB2 and mentorship role.

The first name that comes to mind is Alex Smith. Saying he has seen it all would be an understatement. Smith has proven credibility and showed his ability to mentor a young player in Washington, specifically with Taylor Heinicke heading into the Football Team’s playoff game. Of course, him signing in Miami is contingent upon him being willing to take on a backup role.

Another option for the Dolphins could be Nick Foles. While he’s still on the Bears roster, all of the buzz appears to point to him not being the starter, specifically if Chicago can add another high-upside quarterback this offseason. Thus, a move to Miami might suit the former Super Bowl MVP.

Foles, at his best, displayed a lot of the valuable traits that Tagovailoa possesses. They are both incredibly accurate but not entirely risk-averse. They both throw with confidence and decisiveness into tight windows and play with high IQs. Tua getting to learn from a vet with similar traits would be hugely beneficial.

No matter who the Dolphins bring in to back up Tua Tagovailoa, though, it needs to be them taking the opportunity to improve their man. They saw enough to use the No. 5 pick on him and now must believe in him. Bring in a veteran backup quarterback to help him grow, improve the offensive line and pass-catching corps, and the playoffs are in sight.

This, of course, is all contingent upon the Dophins retaining Tagovailoa throughout this offseason. But with the right improvements to bolster the young quarterback and with the Miami defense rolling ahead as a top-10 unit, the offense can catch up with Tua at the helm and turn the massive rebuilding project into a true success.