Dolphins coach Brian Flores named Ryan Fitzpatrick the starting quarterback when Miami opens the season Sept. 8 against the Baltimore Ravens.
“After a thorough evaluation of OTAs, training camps and games, we felt this was the best move for the team,” Flores said. “Ryan has done a really good job from a leadership standpoint, from an execution standpoint, and we feel like it’s the best move for the team.”
Fitzpatrick, 36, has led the Dolphins’ quarterback competition all offseason over second-year quarterback Josh Rosen, but a strong preseason by the latter admittedly made the decision a little tougher for Flores.
It seems clear that Flores valued Fitzpatrick’s experience, ability to run a new offense and his moxie to rally a young team.
“I know I have more confidence in myself than anybody in the world. Sometimes that’s a detriment, but a lot of times that works in my favor,” Fitzpatrick said. “I’m always confident in who I am and what I am as a player. This is where I wanted to be and what I worked to get.”
Rosen, who suited up for the Dolphins’ final preseason game but didn’t play, heard the decision from Flores before the game and mentioned that he doesn’t feel great about the decision.
“The battle and competition never stops. I’ll push him every single day for him to get better and if he doesn’t get better, hopefully I’ll surpass him at some point,” Rosen said. “I’m rooting for him more than anyone.”
Rosen, 22, admitted he was “drinking water from the fire hose” early in training camp before playing his best football in the second and third preseason game. He didn’t want to directly answer if he agreed with the decision, but he mentioned that he believes his progression particularly as of the last couple of weeks made the decision harder on Flores.
“On this progression, I think the future will be pretty bright [for me]. I’m excited,” Rosen said. “I wouldn’t say it’s a setback, but it’s part of the journey.
“It’s only [a matter of] time that this team is mine, but until then I’m going to be as supportive of a backup as I can and push him every single day.”
Flores didn’t waver when asked if there was a timetable for Rosen to become the starting quarterback. He said Fitzpatrick is his starting quarterback, he’s comfortable with that, and there isn’t a set amount of time that Rosen needs to start this year for him to be evaluated. It’s worth noting that the Dolphins have a Week 5 bye week, which could be an opportunity for a quarterback switch if one is required.
“He’s improved greatly over the course of training camp,” Flores said of Rosen. “Playing quarterback in this league takes some time, he’s in a new offense. I think he’ll get there. When? I don’t know. A lot of that is up to him. He knows that.”
Fitzpatrick will be the 20th quarterback to start for the Dolphins since Dan Marino retired after the 1999 season. Miami has been searching for a quarterback since that day.
The Dolphins signed Fitzpatrick to a two-year deal in March with hopes that he could be at least a bridge quarterback for whenever they brought in their quarterback of the future. Dolphins general manager Chris Grier saw what he determined to be a great value on draft weekend, acquiring Rosen, the 10th overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft, from the Arizona Cardinals for a late second-round pick and 2020 fifth-round pick.
Miami will be the eighth team that Fitzpatrick has started at least one game for in his NFL career, and the fifth that he has started a season opener for.
“I’m excited to get out there and lead this team and do the best I can out there,” Fitzpatrick said. “It’s a situation I’ve been in for multiple franchises, and I’ll lean on my experience a little bit and try to get the guys out there, everybody on the same page, great communication, and playing with a lot of excitement.”