Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins are coming off a disappointing season. The team finished with a record of 8-9 and failed to make the playoffs. Their starting quarterback also missed six games during the campaign, and the franchise is expected to add a quality backup in the offseason.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Dolphins are interested in Marcus Mariota and could potentially sign him in free agency. The 31-year-old quarterback signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Washington Commanders last offseason and served as a great mentor behind the scenes for rookie phenom Jayden Daniels.
Fans React to Dolphins’ Interest in Adding Marcus Mariota as Tua Tagovailoa’s Backup
Dolphins fans are well aware of the fact that their team is aiming to add a quality backup quarterback for Tagovailoa. Their star quarterback suffered another concussion this past season; there is always a long-term question about how long Tagovailoa can actually continue playing football.
Mariota will be a cheaper option for the Dolphins in the NFL‘s free agency, and the team can continue to improve its roster while adding a backup who can step up if their starting quarterback gets hurt again.
The Dolphins’ fans had mixed reactions to their team being linked with Mariota, as some believe the franchise could get a better backup. Here’s how some of them reacted on X (formerly known as Twitter):
Not a surprise https://t.co/zGNBrziEUu
— Fins Faithful Podcast (@FinsFaithfulPod) February 3, 2025
“Dolphins could be cool. Tua Tagovailoa looked up to Mariota,” said a fan.
Another Dolphins fan added, “Not excited or disappointed by this news.”
I always liked Mariota (Oregon fan growing up) him and Tua have been close from reports. Frank smith was the TE coach with raiders when Mariota was there.
Played good this year for Washington 5 total TD’s. sign him to a two year deal https://t.co/eRETCMdmXJ— Jared (@dolphinmanjared) February 3, 2025
“Don’t we want a backup who can win games? I mean, in theory,” wrote another fan.
“I guess they haven’t learned from all the s**t backups they had when Tua got hurt,” said one fan.
Cool. Should still draft a mid-round QB https://t.co/j2eFK6frf5
— 🦍 (@MajinApe) February 3, 2025
Mariota was the second overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. After five seasons with the Tennessee Titans, he has played for four different teams. He got an opportunity to start again in the NFL in 2022 with the Atlanta Falcons but failed to make an impact.
Tagovailoa and Mariota are both from Hawaii, so there will be no friction between them if they are on the same team in Miami. The veteran quarterback will likely push Tagovailoa into becoming a better player, which will help the Dolphins. However, everything depends on the Alabama product’s health; if he gets hurt again, the team could push Tagovailoa into considering retirement for his well-being.
If the Dolphins want to get him, they have to be aggressive in free agency, as the Las Vegas Raiders are also viewed as a potential landing spot for him, according to Schefter. Mariota played two seasons for the Raiders behind Derek Carr, and since Chip Kelly is the team’s new offensive coordinator, he might love to reunite with the quarterback he coached in college.
Dolphins Have Also Had Conversations With Jalen Milroe
Per reports, the Dolphins have also had conversations with Jalen Milroe, and they could select the Alabama quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft. Unlike Tagovailoa, Milroe is a physical specimen and has the potential to succeed in the NFL.
However, Milroe didn’t finish his college career on a high and is considered to be a boom-or-bust prospect. The Dolphins could get him on Day 2 of the draft; at the same time, the team could improve other areas of its roster with a player who will be ready to play from the jump.
If the Dolphins draft Milroe, they’ll have to be patient, as he is not believed to be ready to start in the NFL. He will be a good cover for Tagovailoa, whose future in the league remains uncertain. Drafting a quarterback might not go well with veterans like Tyreek Hill and Jalen Ramsey, who want to win the Super Bowl, but it would be better for the franchise’s future due to the concerns related to their starting quarterback.