The Miami Dolphins are sticking with Tyler Huntley as their starting quarterback, despite a disappointing performance on Monday night. This weekend, Huntley will lead the team against the New England Patriots, who, like the Dolphins, are struggling to find their footing this season.
Filling in for Tagovailoa
Huntley stepped up following Tua Tagovailoa’s injury in Week 2. Tagovailoa, who suffered a concussion, remains on injured reserve but is reportedly symptom-free. Nevertheless, NFL rules make him ineligible to return until Week 8, leaving the Dolphins to navigate without their star quarterback. The team's struggles without him have been clear; they haven't secured a victory since their Week 2 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
On Monday night, the Dolphins faced a 31-12 defeat against the Tennessee Titans. Huntley's performance left much to be desired, completing just 14 of 22 passing attempts for a mere 96 yards. Reflecting on his performance, Huntley noted, "I just got to hone into being on time with them and get more reps on it. That's the only way we're going to build is if we get more reps."
A Battle of Struggling Teams
Both Miami and New England are experiencing similar rough patches this season. Each squad opened with a win but has since endured three consecutive losses. The Patriots, who now sit at 1-3, have struggled especially during their last two games, managing to score only 15 points in total. Their latest game resulted in a 30-12 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Focus on Team Dynamics
An underperforming offense isn't the only concern for Miami. Head Coach Mike McDaniel acknowledged the visible frustration among his players, particularly Marlon Hill. "I would expect (Hill) to be visibly upset at somebody. He's a leader, and he wanted to do everything that he could to make sure the result wasn't that," McDaniel remarked. Leaders like Hill are essential for maintaining morale and steering the team back on course.
The challenge for the Dolphins will be finding ways to support Huntley while he continues to adapt to his starting role. With Tagovailoa's return still a few weeks away, every game and every rep matter for Huntley and the offense. The season is far from over, but time is pressing for Miami to turn things around.