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10 do-or-die decisions NFL teams must make this offseason

By Sayre Bedinger

BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 20: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens looks on against the Carolina Panthers during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 20: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens looks on against the Carolina Panthers during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Dec 4, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) looks to pass the ball during the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Miami Dolphins getting the right backup QB for Tua Tagovailoa

The Miami Dolphins made the playoffs in 2022 after surprisingly firing head coach Brian Flores in the offseason. The biggest difference-makers for them? Hiring Mike McDaniel to replace Flores and bringing in Tyreek Hill in a blockbuster offseason trade. Those two moves helped take Tua Tagovailoa’s game to the next level.

He went from being considered a borderline bust that caused the split between Flores and the front office to being considered, by some, to be an MVP candidate. Unfortunately, amidst Tua’s true breakout season, he suffered a couple of really scary injuries. The last time we saw Tua play was on Christmas Day against the Green Bay Packers where he threw three interceptions in a loss.

He wasn’t cleared from the NFL’s concussion protocol until February 1.

The Dolphins brought in Teddy Bridgewater last offseason to give themselves a backup QB with a high floor and that was a reasonably good move at the time. Unfortunately, Bridgewater’s health status is far too often in question as well. Bridgewater made appearances in five games but suffered a concussion in October and a dislocated finger on January 1. Bridgewater not being available resulted in the Dolphins having to trot Skylar Thompson out to start a playoff game.

And they actually did pretty well.

It wouldn’t be shocking to see Miami roll with the same QB room in 2023 as they did in 2022, but would that be the wisest move?

I think this is undoubtedly one of the biggest questions to be asked about the entire offseason. Who is backing up Tua Tagovailoa? It could end up being the difference between the Dolphins making the playoffs or not. Hopefully, Tua is able to stay healthy. The reality is that he hasn’t played a full season since 2018 at Alabama. Miami needs a viable backup QB, perhaps even someone more reliable than Teddy Bridgewater.

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