The Miami Dolphins risk falling out of the AFC East race, particularly if quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is unable to return this season, or within the next several weeks, from his third documented concussion.
Tagovailoa should obviously air on the side of caution, and the Dolphins shouldn’t do anything to rush even a potential return for their franchise quarterback. If Tagovailoa isn’t healthy enough to return to football or play at a high level, then Miami shouldn’t do anything to change his mind on a timetable or on whether to ever play again altogether.
However, if nothing else, the Dolphins owe it to a roster loaded with dynamic playmakers, to figure out a viable contingency plan for if Tagovailoa misses several more weeks, misses the rest of the season, or never plays another down in the NFL.
Fortunately for general manager Chris Grier and the Dolphins, there may be a couple of viable quarterbacks available ahead of the NFL trade deadline on November 5.
Could the Miami Dolphins Trade for Bryce Young?
“They’re all in and they should trade for Bryce Young,” a high-ranking NFL Executive tells me, on the condition of anonymity to speak freely about another team, shortly after Tagovailoa’s injury “Tua may never play again and Young is perfect for that offense.”
The idea, despite Young’s struggles through the first two seasons of his career — including being benched this season in favor of Andy Dalton, might not be as preposterous as it sounds.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell suggests a Dolphins trade for Young could be a move to watch ahead of the trade deadline.
Barnwell proposes a deal that sends the Panthers’ quarterback to the Dolphins in exchange for a conditional fourth-round pick in next spring’s NFL Draft.
“The Dolphins feel like the best fit here,” Barnwell writes for ESPN. “On the field, Young is best in an offense that’s built around RPOs and designed to get the ball out quickly. The ability to create out of structure we saw from him at Alabama might still be there, but it has been eroded by what happened to him in Carolina. He has to play in an offense where the ball will be out before he takes too many hits, especially at first. After playing behind a porous offensive line in a broken offense in 2023, his confidence is shot.
“Miami has the sort of uncertain quarterback situation that would benefit from Young’s presence. Tua Tagovailoa is signed to a long-term deal and is expected to return from his most recent concussion at some point during the season, but the series of brain injuries he has suffered have understandably raised questions about his long-term status.”
Carolina seems to be on pace to have an inside track at the No. 1 overall pick in next spring’s draft, which would offer head coach Dave Canales the chance to select his hand-picked quarterback while turning the page from Young’s disappointment.
If the Dolphins believe head coach Mike McDaniel’s system, and all of the pre-snap motion that comes with it, and the playmakers on the offense can elevate Young, this is a low-risk but potentially high reward move Miami should consider.
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