Do Dolphins need two starting-caliber QBs in years ahead? Doctors weigh in. And 2025 options

Do the Dolphins essentially need two starting-caliber quarterbacks on the roster to protect themselves as long as Tua Tagovailoa is the team’s top QB?

That appears to be the case, based on feedback from multiple brain trauma experts who say that any additional concussions sustained by Tagovailoa very likely will result in extended absences.

Those experts include 30-year neurosurgeon Lloyd Zucker, who works at Brain and Spine Center of South Florida and formerly held executive neurosurgery posts at Delray Medical Center and Good Samaritan Hospital in West Palm Beach.

Asked if he could envision any scenario where Tagovailoa could return to play quickly after a concussion next season or beyond, Zucker said: “I would discourage it because if the cause does not seem to be outwardly that major, not roughing the passer or thrown to the ground, I would look at past history and give it [extended] time.”

And if the hit is especially violent and causes a concussion, Zucker agreed that the absence likely would not be brief in that case, either, because “we are supposed to err on the side of protecting the patient… The more severe the impact, the more likely his rest period would be longer. Every concussion adds to to the potential of having future problems.”

Zucker’s colleague, Brain and Spine Center of South Florida managing partner and neurologist Evan Packer, told The Miami Herald recently that an extended absence would follow any future Tagovailoa concussions and “the length of time would be greater and greater.”

All of this means the Dolphins — this offseason — must either trade for an established backup; use a high draft pick on a quarterback and hope he’s ready immediately if needed; or spend decent money on one of the best options in a 2025 free agent quarterback class that will include Sam Darnold (who likely will get a starting job somewhere), Justin Fields, Russell Wilson, Cooper Rush, Jameis Winston, Mac Jones, Carson Wentz, Joe Flacco, Jimmy Garoppolo, Mason Rudolph, Andy Dalton, Marcus Mariota, Drew Lock, Zach Wilson, Trey Lance and Jarrett Stidham.

Russell Wilson, Winston and Jones could be the best options for Miami from that group, figuring Darnold will get a starting opportunity elsewhere.

What’s clear is this: The Dolphins can never again leave themselves in the position that they’re in this season, relying on unproven Skylar Thompson and middling veterans Tyler Huntley and Tim Boyle to save them if Tagovailoa is injured.

With any future concussions likely sidelining Tagovailoa for a while, the Dolphins must accept that they will likely need a higher cap allocation for backup quarterback, while navigating a salary cap crunch in future years. Miami has just $4 million in cap space for 2025.

Thompson, who entered the season as the Dolphins’ No. 2 quarterback, is making $985,000.

As perspective, Jacoby Brissett — considered one of the NFL’s better backups and a former Dolphin — is earning $8 million on a one-year deal for New England. He began the season as a starter ahead of No. 3 overall pick Drake May, and Brissett will start Sunday against the Dolphins.

Darnold, who has led the Vikings to a 4-0 start, signed a one-year, $10 million deal with Minnesota this past offseason, including $8,75 million guaranteed.

Flacco, who has now thrown at least two touchdown passes in six consecutive games, is playing for the Colts on a one-year deal worth up to $8.7 million, with $4.5 million guaranteed.

The Jets, this past offseason, signed Tyrod Taylor to a two-year, $12 million deal, with $8.5 million guaranteed.

Gardner Minshew likely would have been too expensive; the Raiders, this past March, signed him to a two-year, $25 million deal that includes $15 million guaranteed.

But Dalton is on the second year of a two-year, $11 million deal with Carolina. That’s very affordable. And so are several others with better credentials than Thompson, Huntley and Boyle.

Garappolo is earning $3.2 million on a year-deal with the Rams. Cleveland gave Winston a one-year deal with $4 million in base salary and another $4.7 million in incentives. The Chiefs are paying Wentz $3.3 million on a one-year deal, with $2.2 million guaranteed.

Buffalo is paying Mitch Trubisky just $1.2 million. The 49ers gave Joshua Dobbs signed a one-year, fully guaranteed $2.25 million contract, plus a $750,000 incentive for playing time.

Russell Wilson, who has been injured, signed a one-year, $1.2 million deal with Pittsburgh with the expectation of starting. Wilson is collecting $38 million from the Broncos this season.

Trades remain another option. Pittsburgh acquired Fields from Chicago for a conditional sixth-round pick. Jacksonville acquired 2025 free agent Mac Jones from New England for a 2024 sixth-round pick.

Philadelphia acquired Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett, the No. 20 overall pick two years ago, along with a 2024 fourth-round pick, in exchange for a 2024 third-round pick and a pair of 2025 seventh-round picks.

Washington traded former starter Sam Howell along with a fourth-round pick and a sixth-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft to Seattle in exchange for a 2024 third-rounder and a 2024 fifth-rounder.

The Dolphins’ other option is drafting a quarterback in the first three rounds, with the hope that he can become a capable fill-in starter quickly, if necessary.

Whatever path the Dolphins choose next spring, they learned a painful lesson this season: They cannot simply assume that Tagovailoa will be healthy and they can “get by” at backup quarterback.