Tua or bust
QB is anointed — this rebuild is either confirmed or sunk
Before noting the draft work was just beginning and everything was open for examination, Miami Dolphins General Manager Chris Grier said Tua Tagovailoa wasn't open for any examination.
"Tua, we're very happy with,'' Grier said. "He's our starting quarterback."
A few minutes later, while talking about how competition is important on a building team and he embraces it at every position, even quarterback, Grier interrupted himself to backtrack over that same ground.
"I also want to be clear that Tua is our starter, and we're very happy with his development so far,'' he said.
Let's be equally clear: The rebuild is confirmed or sunk. The big question of the 2021 season and 2022 hopes is now answered. Grier mostly spoke in generalities, leaving a general manager's usual trail of fog about offseason plans, except for one, defining subject. They're in the tank for Tua.
This was the move to make, too — meaning, if they're that committed to Tua to say so here and now, at the top of the offseason, so everyone is
And the Dolphins hope improvements Tagovailoa can make over the next eight months turn into a prosperous second NFL season where he can endure as many games close to a full 17-game season with a significant jump in his play.
"He did a nice job of coming in as a rookie with no offseason and the challenges of dealing with all that," Grier said of Tagovailoa. "Very happy with him and looking forward to watching him progress here with an offseason going into next year."
■ The Dolphins own the No. 3 and No. 18 picks in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft.
"We're excited to have the picks we have," Grier said. "There are some good players. Again, most of the players haven't even declared yet still, so not going to speculate on anything. But we're excited about the future here and what we can do for 2021."
While Grier did not want to discuss draft strategies two days after the season ended, he did say competition is key to every position — including quarterback.
"You need to bring in guys that fit your system and will push people and make them better … but also want to be clear that Tua is our starter and we're very happy with his development so far," Grier said.
■ Flores was non-committal on whether Fitzpatrick, the quarterback who spent the past two seasons of the Dolphins rebuild as a starter and backup would return to the team next season. He is an unrestricted free agent.
Fitzpatrick's 2020 regular season ends with the best completion percentage of his career at 68.5, while throwing for 2,091 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also had a 4-3 record as Miami's starter this season.
"We're going to take our time with it. Obviously, Fitz, along with all the free agents that are going to be part of the conversation, because we know them," Flores said.
"We're not going to sit here and say, 'Hey, we might want to do this, that or the other thing.' I think we've got to go through it and be as thorough as possible, try to make the best decisions for this organization."
■ Flores was firm about saying his coaching staff, which includes offensive coordinator Chan Gailey, will return next season.
"We expect to have everyone back," Flores said.
Gailey, 68, came out of a threeyear retirement to reunite with Fitzpatrick and to coach Tagovailoa.
And the Dolphins hope continuity brought by another season together, at least with Tagovailoa, and some additional offensive pieces could benefit them next season.
The comment from Flores came one day after ESPN incorrectly reported Gailey was fired. ESPN also issued a statement apologizing for the matter.
■ Grier shied away from any credit for any General Manager of the Year consideration. But he did give Flores a rousing endorsement for Coach of the Year.
"Brian will hate me saying it, but I don't think there's any question that Brian is the Coach of the Year," Grier said.
"Brian does not like any of that stuff. He hates when I say it. But for what he did with this roster, team, to push them through going through this with the pandemic. The young players, how young we were, with no offseason and a completely new roster to win 10 games with what we have and a rookie QB, eight rookie players on offense.
"Brian and his staff did an unbelievable job."