While Mike McDaniel wouldn’t come out and say it, all signs point towards Skylar Thompson starting at quarterback Sunday for the Miami Dolphins in their must-win game against the New York Jets.
The Dolphins probably will have no other choice — unless newcomer Mike Glennon absolutely blows them away in his three days of practice with the team.
Miami Dolphins Quarterback Update
Glennon, the nine-year NFL veteran, was signed to the Dolphins’ practice squad Wednesday. That alone should have told you the organization had real concerns about Teddy Bridgewater’s availability.
But McDaniel removed any doubt on that subject during his Wednesday media availability. Bridgewater still cannot grip the football — which makes playing quarterback awfully difficult.
“I can’t really forecast Teddy’s availability,” McDaniel said. “… Nothing’s more important to him right now than making himself available to the team.”
Bridgewater could not practice Wednesday. Neither could Tua Tagovailoa, who remains in the early stages of the concussion protocol. Any thought of Tua returning just two weeks after getting concussed for the second (if not third) time in three months should be dismissed.
It’ll be Teddy or (far more likely) Skylar under center Sunday against New York. McDaniel’s unofficial rule with quarterbacks is they need to practice to play, and Bridgewater cannot practice.
What’s more, it’s entirely possible that the Dolphins’ two active quarterbacks Sunday are Thompson and Glennon — who combined to throw 74 passes and one touchdown all season.
“He’s a quarterback through and through,” McDaniel said of Glennon. “Been through multiple systems. Understands what it takes to speak the language in the fast amount of time and he plays the position aggressively, with toughness I respect.”
Regardless, all signs are the Dolphins will start Thompson in their biggest game of the year — and the biggest game of Thompson’s career.
Thompson, a rookie seventh-round pick, has shown excellent poise and mobility, McDaniel said. That has not translated to productivity, however.
On the year, he has completed 54.1% of his passes with one touchdown, three interceptions, 5.2 yards per attempt, and a passer rating of 56.2. Of the 59 quarterbacks with 50 or more snaps this year, Thompson ranks 56th in EPA+CPOE.
Still, McDaniel said he has confidence Thompson can get it done. Why?
“What I see is a guy who can play NFL football and a guy whose teammates believe in him,” McDaniel said.