Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel hinted at the possibility of a quarterback change ahead of their matchup against the Tennessee Titans. During his Tuesday press conference, McDaniel mentioned that the team is exploring several options while preparing for the Monday night game.
Skylar Thompson, who started last week but left with a rib injury, is still listed as “day-to-day.” McDaniel said the Dolphins could turn to either Tim Boyle or Tyler Huntley depending on Thompson’s status leading up to the game.
McDaniel explained that the next 48 hours would be crucial in assessing Thompson’s readiness to play. If Thompson shows improvement, the team might stick with him. However, given the recent struggles at the quarterback position, McDaniel stressed the importance of being open to different possibilities. He acknowledged that the current performance of their quarterbacks hasn’t been enough, forcing the team to evaluate all potential solutions moving forward.
Last week’s 24-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks marked the Dolphins’ lowest offensive output since McDaniel took over as head coach. Thompson completed 13 of 19 passes for 107 yards, but the team failed to sustain any significant drives. Boyle, who replaced Thompson after the injury, threw for 79 yards on 7 of 13 passes, but like Thompson, he was unable to lead the Dolphins to a touchdown. The Dolphins’ offense has now been held without a touchdown three times during McDaniel’s tenure.
McDaniel admitted that the team’s performance against Seattle was disappointing, particularly at the quarterback position. He pointed out that Thompson made several mistakes that affected the game’s outcome, and other players also made errors that compounded the team’s struggles. McDaniel emphasized the need for self-reflection and accountability across the board as they prepare for their upcoming game against Tennessee.
With Tua Tagovailoa still sidelined due to a concussion, the Dolphins will continue to rely on a backup quarterback for at least the next three games. Tagovailoa, who has been in the NFL’s concussion protocol since Week 2, is meeting with neurologists this week but has not yet been cleared to return. McDaniel confirmed that the team hopes to make a decision on the starting quarterback soon to allow enough preparation time before facing the Titans on Monday night.