The Miami Dolphins and Tua Tagovailoa may be facing legitimate questions not only about the interim but also the long-term future following the quarterback’s latest concussion suffered Thursday night against the Buffalo Bills.
September 12, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA. Tua Tagovailoa (1) of the Miami Dolphins goes off the field with training staff after appearing to sustain an injury during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory credit: Jasen Vinlove/Imagn Images.
Tagovailoa has now been diagnosed with three verified concussions during his NFL career, all of which occurred within the last two years, raising the possibility that he may retire from sports altogether.
While the Dolphins have publicly stated that they intend to move forward with backup quarterback Skyler Thompson, if Miami believes it is legitimately possible that Tagovailoa will hang up his cleats, the franchise would be wise to explore other options in the trade market to keep this season’s championship hopes alive and potentially to build around moving forward.
Why Miami Dolphins should trade for Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker.
Fortunately for Miami, a possibly great scheme fit for head coach Mike McDaniel’s offense, which includes a highly acclaimed 26-year-old young quarterback, may be available via trade.
This offseason, the Detroit Lions signed quarterback Jared Goff to a massive four-year contract worth $212 million, effectively securing his future as the franchise’s starting quarterback during what appears to be a legitimate Super Bowl window in the NFC thanks to a deep and talented young roster comprised largely of homegrown talent.
However, given the Lions’ commitment to Goff, backup quarterback Hendon Hooker might be a useful trade piece for general manager Brad Holmes as he continues to build out the roster via the NFL draft.
Despite suffering a ruptured ACL late in the 2022 collegiate football season, he was widely regarded as a probable first-round choice that spring.
Hooker, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 220 pounds, has excellent mobility, the ability to throw accurately and on time from the pocket, and was a proven playmaker during his collegiate career at Tennessee.
Given what the Dolphins have assembled with receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, as well as running backs De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert in the backfield in a scheme built on creating opportunities with both pre-snap motion and a mobile quarterback, Hooker could be the ideal candidate to allow Tagovailoa to either take extra time to return or serve as the Dolphins’ insurance policy if he decides never to
