The Miami Dolphins, after an up-and-down start to their 2024 season, find themselves at a crossroads with their quarterback situation. Tua Tagovailoa, once seen as the future of the franchise, has shown flashes of brilliance but also moments of inconsistency and injury. The team is now in a delicate position, where they must decide whether to continue investing in Tua or explore alternative options that could lead them back to the Super Bowl. In a bold and potentially game-changing move, the Dolphins could decide to waive Tua and take a chance on Shedeur Sanders, the highly touted quarterback from Jackson State, who is making waves in the college football world. While such a decision may seem unlikely, there are multiple factors that suggest this might not be as far-fetched as it sounds.
Tua Tagovailoa’s time with the Miami Dolphins has been nothing short of eventful. After being selected with the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, expectations for him were sky-high. His potential was undeniable, but the path to realizing that potential has been anything but smooth. From the beginning, Tua faced pressure from both the media and Dolphins fans to become the savior of the franchise. While his first two seasons were filled with mixed performances, there were enough glimpses of brilliance to keep the hope alive. He led the Dolphins to several memorable victories, including a thrilling win over the Arizona Cardinals in his rookie season and a dramatic victory over the New England Patriots in 2021. However, his struggles with consistency and the looming threat of injuries began to cast doubt on his future with the team.
In 2023, Tua entered the season with a sense of renewed optimism. He had shown flashes of elite play during the previous year, and many believed he was ready to take the next step in his development. But once again, injuries reared their ugly head. Concussions were a major concern, and they hindered his ability to stay on the field and reach his full potential. While Tua is a talented quarterback, his durability has become a significant question mark. As a result, the Dolphins have begun to explore the possibility of moving on from him, especially if the right opportunity presents itself.
Enter Shedeur Sanders, the son of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, who has been turning heads with his dynamic play at Jackson State. Sanders has been nothing short of spectacular, leading the Tigers to multiple championships and establishing himself as one of the most exciting quarterbacks in college football. His combination of arm strength, mobility, and football IQ has made him a highly coveted prospect for the NFL draft. As Shedeur prepares to leave Jackson State and enter the NFL, his name has consistently appeared in the conversation for top quarterback prospects in the 2024 draft. While Tua’s future with the Dolphins has become murky, the idea of bringing in Shedeur as the team’s new face of the franchise could be an enticing proposition for the Dolphins’ front office.
The possibility of the Dolphins waiving Tua in favor of Shedeur Sanders raises several important questions. First and foremost, would it be wise for the Dolphins to give up on a former top-five pick, especially one with the potential that Tua possesses? The Dolphins front office, led by General Manager Chris Grier and Head Coach Mike McDaniel, will have to weigh the risk of cutting ties with Tua and moving forward with a rookie quarterback. The upside of taking a chance on Shedeur Sanders, however, is that he could bring the franchise the long-term stability at quarterback that it has been searching for since Dan Marino’s retirement in 1999.
Shedeur Sanders is an intriguing prospect for a variety of reasons. His leadership, maturity, and ability to perform in high-pressure situations have stood out throughout his college career. Sanders has shown an impressive ability to lead his team to victory, often rising to the occasion when the stakes are the highest. His poise in the pocket, combined with his deep ball accuracy and mobility, make him an appealing option for any NFL team. While some skeptics may point to his time at Jackson State and question the level of competition he faced, Sanders has proven that he can compete at an elite level. His performance in the SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) has been nothing short of dominant, and he has already proven that he can handle the spotlight.
Another key factor in this potential move is the relationship between Shedeur and his father, Deion Sanders. Deion, who is now the head coach at the University of Colorado, has always emphasized the importance of building a legacy and understanding what it takes to succeed in the NFL. While there are those who would argue that Shedeur’s career would benefit from playing in a more traditional college program, the fact that Deion has been an NFL icon gives his son an edge when it comes to preparation for the next level. Shedeur has been mentored by one of the greatest players to ever play the game, and it’s clear that his upbringing has had a major impact on his development as a quarterback.
For the Dolphins, bringing in Shedeur Sanders would represent a departure from their current strategy of building around Tua. While Tua’s potential has been on full display at times, it has often been overshadowed by the injuries that have derailed his progress. There is no denying that Tua has shown flashes of greatness, but the durability concerns continue to be a major issue. On the other hand, Shedeur offers a much higher level of health and longevity, which could be the foundation for the Dolphins’ offense for years to come. If Miami wants to truly contend for a Super Bowl in the coming seasons, they may need to take a risk on a fresh face under center.
Of course, this hypothetical scenario assumes that Tua would be waived, which remains an unlikely outcome. There are numerous factors that could prevent this from happening. For one, the Dolphins could still view Tua as their best option, especially if they are able to address their offensive line woes and continue to build around him. Additionally, Tua’s contract is still relatively favorable, meaning the Dolphins may not be in a position to part ways with him just yet. If Tua can stay healthy and play up to his potential, there’s no reason why he couldn’t remain the Dolphins’ starting quarterback for years to come.
However, with the growing success of Shedeur Sanders and the excitement surrounding his potential, the Dolphins may find themselves in a unique position. They could have the opportunity to secure a young, talented quarterback who could be the face of the franchise for the next decade. The risk of moving on from Tua would be high, but the potential reward could be even greater. In the end, it’s a decision that the Dolphins’ front office will need to make carefully. Moving on from Tua would not be an easy choice, but sometimes in the NFL, taking risks is the only way to achieve long-term success. If the Dolphins are serious about building a championship contender, they may have to bet on a new era with Shedeur Sanders leading the way.