The Miami Dolphins and Tua Tagovailoa may be facing legitimate questions not only about the interim but also the long-term future following the quarterback’s latest concussion suffered Thursday night against the Buffalo Bills.
Tagovailoa now has been diagnosed with three confirmed concussions during his NFL career, all suffered within the past two years, which when considering the potential long-ranging consequences to the 26-year-old’s health raises the specter that he could potentially retire from football altogether.
While the Dolphins have publicly stated the plan is to move forward with backup quarterback Skyler Thompson, if Miami believes it is legitimately possible that Tagovailoa hangs up his cleats, the franchise would be wise to explore other options via the trade market to keep this season’s championship aspirations afloat and potentially to build around moving forward.
Why the Miami Dolphins Should Trade for Detroit Lions QB Hendon Hooker
Fortunately for Miami, a potentially ideal scheme fit for head coach Mike McDaniel’s offense, who happens to be a highly touted 26-year-old rising quarterback may be available via trade.
This offseason, the Detroit Lions signed quarterback Jared Goff to a colossal four-year contract worth $212 million, essentially assuring his future as the franchise’s starting quarterback during what promises to be a legitimate Super Bowl window in the NFC thanks to a deep and talented young roster comprised largely of homegrown talent.
However, the Lions’ commitment to Goff may make backup quarterback Hendon Hooker a viable trade chip for general manager Brad Holmes to continue building out the roster through the NFL Draft.
Hooker, chosen by the Lions in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, slid down the board largely due to a torn ACL suffered late in the 2022 college football season, was widely viewed as high as a potential first-round pick that spring.
At 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, Hooker has plus mobility, the ability to be accurate and timely from the pocket and was a proven playmaker during his collegiate career at Tennessee.
Given what the Dolphins have assembled with receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle along with running backs De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert in the backfield in a scheme built on creating opportunities with both pre-snap motion and a mobile quarterback, Hooker could be the ideal candidate to allow Tagovailoa to either take added time to return or serve as the Dolphins’ insurance policy if he decides never to at all.
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