With Huntley the Dolphins’ new QB1, the Broward native’s ‘child’s dream’ has come true

As Tyler Huntley sat in front his locker on Wednesday, he flashed his patented, gap-tooth smile.

He answered questions about his mastery of the offense. About his approach to starting. About his team’s confidence in him. Then came the query that was on everyone’s minds.

“That would be amazing, that’s just a child’s dream,” the Dania Beach native said when asked about the possibility of starting for the team he grew up watching. “Being able to play for your home team, man, that’s just something everybody doesn’t get to come across. So it would mean everything in the world, but I’m just here to help the team win.”

Well, sometimes dreams come true. Coach Mike McDaniel officially named Huntley the starting quarterback on Saturday, just two days before Monday’s matchup against the Tennessee Titans. The move was expected – between what was seen in practice, the dynamism he brings with his running ability and the way players had gravitated to the man who’s affectionally known around here as “Snoop” – yet questions about the offense still remain. Still, the locker room buzzed with excitement following McDaniel’s decision.

“Very dynamic player, especially with the ball in his hands,” Jonnu Smith said. “Can make all the throws. Has had a lot of experience and has a lot of success in this league as well as a starter. Excited to be rolling with him.”

“I’m looking forward to watching him ball,” Braxton Berrios added. “He’s elusive, he can do a lot with his feet, has a great arm. He’s played a lot of football.”

Berrios’ locker sits right next to Huntley. And while the newly-named QB1 wasn’t present, Berrios raved about Huntley’s demeanor and diligence.

“Since he got in, he’s been awesome,” Berrios continued. “Very personable. Great dude. He’s fully-invested obviously. He’s in it. We bounce somethings off of each other after every practice, every time we come back from our lockers, after meetings.”

The Dolphins signed Huntley off of the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad less than two weeks ago on Sept. 17. McDaniel’s offensive system is notoriously complicated yet the coach reaffirmed his commitment to his new quarterback.

“What I’m expecting him to be comfortable making plays in various ways,” McDaniel said. “The biggest thing is I see him being able to utilize his skill sets in the framework of the offense and understanding it’s the collection of individuals doing their job and what’s the best for this week to do that.”

Added McDaniel: “Snoop has started multiple and many big games. And as a quarterback, just understanding exactly what is required to win over teammates, to take the place of somebody else and be able to assert their own personality, their own skillset, their own traits within the offense and lead people [is why] we’ve been very high on Snoop.”

Huntley, to his credit, has been doing everything he can to learn the new system, even spending some of his off day at the Baptist Health Training Complex.

“It’s like riding a bike,” Huntley said. “First time, you’re a little iffy, you didn’t know how to pedal. Then you just start putting it all together, pedaling, going in a straight line, then after a while, you’re going to start standing up.”

He admitted having some challenges – “Just being that you didn’t run the plays as much as you would like to,” Huntley said – but it’s ultimately still a process.

“As much as I can,” Huntley quipped when asked about his comfortability with the playbook. “As much as I can, try to quiz myself and put myself in some situations where the play is called and try to see if I know it offhand.”

Although Huntley’s resume does include a lone Pro Bowl appearance, it’s important to put that 2022 season into context. Huntley replaced an injured Lamar Jackson in Week 13 and played in six of the Ravens’ final seven games. During that span, he completed roughly 65% of his passes for 884 yards, four touchdowns through the air and four interceptions. He also ran the ball 52 times for a total of 191 yards and a single rushing touchdown. And while the Dolphins receiving core is much better than the Ravens’ at the time, he will have to do a better job getting offensive playmakers like Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle involved considering the duo had one of their worst outings (a combined seven catches for 66 yards) last week against the Seattle Seahawks since teaming up in 2022.

Huntley, however, understands this. He also knows how important timing is in this offense. It’s why he has invested much of his time at the practice facility. Why he quizzes himself nonstop. And why he has picked the brains of Skylar Thompson and Tua Tagovailoa about getting Hill and Waddle involved since day one.

“How they see it definitely gives me reps up under the belt,” Huntley said, later adding “They’re some fast guys so I’ve got to catch up to them.”