The Miami Dolphins had high hopes that backup quarterback Tyler Huntley would show significant improvement between his first and second starts with the team. However, despite a narrow 15-10 victory over the struggling New England Patriots, his performance raises concerns among Dolphins fans who were anticipating a Super Bowl run at the start of the season. With the team entering its bye week, Huntley now has additional time to familiarize himself with the offensive scheme and leverage the speed of his teammates to enhance the team’s performance.
This bye week also provides Tua Tagovailoa an opportunity to recover from the third confirmed concussion of his NFL career, sustained in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills. Although the Dolphins’ outlook has improved since their blowout loss to the Tennessee Titans, their current situation pales compared to the explosive potential of Mike McDaniel’s offense from just a year ago.
As the November 5 trade deadline approaches, the Dolphins have about four weeks to evaluate Tagovailoa’s health and potentially seek a more competent backup quarterback than Huntley. CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin recently suggested that Miami consider trading for Trey Lance, the backup quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys and former third overall pick in the 2021 draft.
“Tua Tagovailoa may return, but it feels irresponsible to trust he’ll stay upright and/or safe,” Benjamin remarked. Coach Mike McDaniel previously worked with the San Francisco 49ers when they drafted the athletic but inconsistent Lance. Unfortunately, Lance’s time in San Francisco didn’t yield the expected results; he spent most of his rookie season as a backup and only started two games in his second season before suffering a broken ankle.
Brock Purdy, who took over after Lance’s injury, led the 49ers to two consecutive NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl appearance, while Lance eventually moved to Dallas for a fourth-round pick. At just 24 years old and in the final year of his $34 million rookie contract, Lance presents a cost-effective option for Miami, with a base salary of just over $1 million this season. The trade cost is likely to be lower than what the Cowboys invested, making it a potentially savvy acquisition for the Dolphins.
Though acquiring Lance may not be a franchise-altering move, it represents an opportunity for Miami to add a young quarterback with the traits that initially made him a top-three draft pick, selected by a team known for its talent evaluation. Throughout his career, Lance has recorded 797 passing yards, five touchdowns, three interceptions, and 235 rushing yards with one rushing touchdown, averaging 4.4 yards per carry.
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