The Dolphins Finally Found Their QB2

Tyler Huntley shines in win over the Cleveland Browns.

Mike McDaniel and the Miami Dolphins haven’t been good when gambling, but yesterday, they finally hit on one.

Leading up to the game against the Cleveland Browns, the Dolphins downgraded quarterback Tua Tagovailoa from doubtful to inactive, and chaos ensued.

Jokes were flying about Tagovailoa’s toughness and the Dolphins blowing up the roster, and I couldn’t blame them.

There was some speculation on Tagovailoa’s injured hip over the last few weeks, but didn’t limit him in their 29-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers, and the team downplayed it throughout the week, including Tagovailoa comparing it to “bumps and bruises.”

The story is that Tagovailoa was pushing to play but was overruled by the medical staff wanting to protect him from himself and not risk him being “susceptible to a much more significant injury based upon that injury.”

The Dolphins most likely had the forethought that even with a backup in there, they should be able to pull out the win against the Dorian Thompson-Robinson-led Browns. Pre-game, I thought it was a bad idea and the Dolphins were also a bottom-five team without Tagovailoa, so this was no sure thing. Luckily, I was wrong, and the Dolphins defense dominated the Browns, leading to a comfortable 20-3 ending score.

There’s a New Deputy In Town

When Tyler Huntley first came to town going into week three, he was thrown into the deep end of the pool, and it was sink or swim time. The Dolphins just put Tagovailoa on IR, and there wasn’t much confidence in Skylar Thompson, so they needed someone, shoot, anyone who could make something happen.

Huntley comes in, watches the Thompson-led Dolphins get embarrassed by the Seattle Seahawks, and it was go time.

Through his three-game stretch, he went 1-2 and only produced one offensive touchdown. It was rough, but he added an element to the offense with his legs. He showed some promise, but all the pre-snap movement and not simplifying the paybook while only being in Miami for a few weeks overwhelmed him.

That and the fact that he didn’t have time to form chemistry with any receiver did him no favors. But, fast forward a couple of months of learning the playbook and practicing with the team, he looked night and day against the Browns.

Huntley: 22-26, 225 YDS, 84.6 CMP%, 52 RSH, 2 TTD, 115.5 RTG, 73.5 QBR.

Huntley played like the player the Dolphins needed for the last two years to back up Tagovailoa. He got Tyreek Hill involved early and often, was efficient, and used his legs to extend plays and pick up first downs.

Huntley also scored their first touchdown with his legs from thirteen yards out, and it required some mobility the Dolphins haven’t seen in a while from the quarterback position.

Although this wasn’t Huntley’s first win as a Dolphin, it was his first win while being a reason why they won. He was sharp and was actually held back by all the penalties the team was committing around him. Huntley’s stat line could’ve been even better if their drives weren’t derailed by penalties.

The run game is ice cold again, and Huntley ended the day as Miami’s leading rusher. It was an all-around strong performance by him and looks to have secured him the backup job in 2025 and a nice bump in pay next year.

The Finish Line

There’s one game left in the season, and it’s time to lay it all out on the line. As great as Huntley played against the Browns, Tua Tagovailoa needs to be out there against the Jets. There’s a very real possibility that the Dolphins could get themselves into the playoffs with a win next week.

The Dolphins have needed to pray for help for weeks trying to back door into the playoffs, and we’re finally here. All they need to do is beat the New York Jets, and the Broncos lose to the Chiefs.

The schedule for next week has been announced, and the Dolphins and Broncos will both be playing in the four o’clock window, which makes it an easy choice for the Dolphins.

If Tagovailoa is, for some reason unable to play, most Dolphins fans will sleep better at night knowing that Tyler Huntley will be under center.