Rosen loses battle, Fitzpatrick to start

Second-string QB says it’s only a matter of time until team is his

Brian Flores has finally named his starting quarterback.

Wily veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick, 36, is excited for the opportunity with his eighth NFL team entering his 15th pro season.

Confident second-year prospect Josh Rosen, 22, insists he is also excited for his new role during his first season with the Miami Dolphins.

“I think it’s only [a matter of ] time [until] this team is mine,” Rosen said after Flores announced his decision following Miami’s 16-13 win over the New Orleans Saints in the preseason finale at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Thursday night.

“But until then, I’m going to be as supportive of a backup as I can and push [Fitzpatrick] along the way.”

Flores — citing a better overall body of work since this offseason began — selected Fitzpatrick over Rosen as Miami’s starter for the regular-season opener against the Baltimore Ravens at Hard Rock Stadium on Sept. 8.

The announcement may have helped divert attention from recent trade rumors festering about standout left tackle Laremy Tunsil, arguably the Dolphins’ best player and gen

eral manager Chris Grier’s best draft pick to date.

Fitzpatrick signed with the Dolphins two days after the franchise traded away former starter Ryan Tannehill in March after seven seasons with the team.

Fitzpatrick signed — before Rosen was acquired — with the intention of winning the job and is ecstatic that his work throughout the preseason ultimately paid off.

“I’m excited to get out there and lead this team and do the best I can out there,” said Fitzpatrick, who did not dress for the preseason finale, watching from the sidelines like most of the Dolphins starters.

Added Flores: “We felt like this was the best move for the team going into the season.”

Rosen trailed in the quarterback battle since he was first acquired from the Arizona Cardinals in an April trade. Since the second week of training camp, however, Rosen gained significant ground in the competition during camp and the preseason.

When Rosen worked with the first-team offense in Tampa during the second week of the preseason and in relief of Fitzpatrick during the third preseason game last week, Flores was rightfully critical of his young player’s performance.

Flores challenged Rosen to improve his body language and on-field demeanor, adding that Rosen needs to get rid of the football faster and have better decisionmaking regarding throwing risky passes while trying to avoid sacks.

Flores also shared a hypothetical quarterback philosophy in recent weeks. The coach said a young quarterback such as Rosen should spend some time on the bench to absorb the offense while developing a hunger and gratitude to be getting such an opportunity to become a starting NFL quarterback.

“I think he’ll get there — I really do,” Flores said of Rosen. “That’s a conversation we had.

“When? I don’t know. A lot of that is up to him. He knows that.

“No knock on him, but he’s worked extremely hard. I think he’ll get there. He’s a talented player and we’re excited about him.”

Added Rosen: “I wouldn’t say it’s a setback or hurdle to cross over. It’s just part of the journey.

Rosen, while disappointed he did not beat out Fitzpatrick for the starting job, did acknowledge that “trial by fire didn’t work great for me last year.”

After all, he was 3-10 as a starter with the Cardinals as a rookie. Another season of that could be damaging for Rosen’s development.

Instead of rattling Rosen early in the season by playing him behind a developing offensive line, Flores seems to want to bring him along — if time and injuries are on his side.

While Rosen marinates on the bench, Flores believes Fitzpatrick has the veteran savvy and demeanor to navigate the Dolphins offense despite its glaring deficiencies along the line.

Flores believes Rosen has improved greatly since joining the Dolphins.

Rosen sees the progress he’s making too.

It will be only a matter of time until he takes the reins and becomes Miami’s starting quarterback.

If he performs well, it will only be a matter of time before the Dolphins franchise is his too.

“I think I’m a substantially better quarterback than I was three weeks ago, and a way better quarterback than I was a year ago,” Rosen said.

“I think on this progression. I think the future will be pretty bright. I’m excited.”

SEAN GARDNER/GETTY Quarterbacks Josh Rosen, left, and Ryan Fitzpatrick watch Thursday’s preseason game against the New Orleans Saints from the sidelines. That’s where Rosen will begin the regular season after Fitzpatrick was named the Dolphins’ starter.