How will Rosen stomach latest roller-coaster ride?

Ryan Fitzpatrick could only smile, letting out a simultaneous laugh and sigh of relief. “Roller coaster,” he said after he was named the Miami Dolphins’ starting quarterback Wednesday for the second time this season.

If the start of this season has been a roller-coaster ride for Fitzpatrick, just imagine what second-year quarterback Josh Rosen is going through with his second demotion to a backup role.

Where does Rosen go from here this season?

Well, first he will take a backseat to Fitzpatrick again when the Dolphins travel to face the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

Rosen could again become Miami’s starter this season — based on his merit

alone — while other factors such as injuries or poor play might thrust him back into the starting role at some point.

“I wouldn’t want to put a label on it,” Rosen said of his confidence level to reclaim the job. “I’ll just say whenever the time is ready, whenever I’m called upon or if, then I will be ready.”

Rosen says he wants to improve on his mastery of the new Dolphins offense, led by first-time offensive coordinator Chad O’Shea, which thrives on many principles Tom Brady and the New England Patriots have used for decades.

Rosen also wants to play quicker, wants to understand defenses better and wants to foster greater chemistry with his teammates on offense. He hopes that could lead to better connections on the field, where his anticipation has been less than ideal when trying to connect

with receivers.

More importantly, Rosen wants to accomplish those short-term goals to impress Brian Flores and general manager Chris Grier at a critical time in his NFL career and show that he could be a long-term solution at quarterback for the Dolphins.

Rosen’s demotion this week, following his abysmal performance against the Redskins last week, has not been a step in that direction.

“It impacts it negatively, but the degree to which it impacts it, I think, is still to be determined,” Rosen said. “And it’s my job to minimize that and still continue to prove [myself ]. We’re here seven days a week, so I’ll prove to Coach [Flores] that I’m the guy to move forward.”

How can Fitzpatrick help Rosen this season?

By sharing his wealth of knowledge and professionalism.

The players’ journeys to the NFL may be distinctly different, but Fitzpatrick is a 15-year veteran whose poise, intangibles and demeanor have been instrumental to his longevity in the league. He knows what Rosen is going through. It makes Fitzpatrick the perfect mentor for a player like Rosen or any other quarterback the Dolphins would like to pair alongside him.

“I think part of it is just being there,” Fitzpatrick said. “He knows that I’m there and he knows that I’ve been through a lot of different things.

“I wasn’t a high firstround draft pick, but I have been the guy that has been the starter and the ‘franchise guy’ getting paid money and whatever else. So I’ve had the weight of the world on my shoulders at times and I know that as a quarterback, especially as a young guy and a guy that got drafted high, you feel that pressure sometimes.

“Every Sunday, I have the fate of this whole team on my shoulders; that’s what you do as a quarterback. But if you allow it to overpower you and allow it to cripple you, it will. So part of it is just trying to play free and really home in on the details of your job, and going out there and executing them.”

Where does Rosen go from here beyond this season?

This is where the conversation becomes quite convoluted. The Dolphins acquired Rosen from the Arizona Cardinals for a low second-round pick in 2019 and a fifth-round pick in the 2020 draft. He became available after Arizona took Kyler Murray with the first pick in April’s draft.

The Dolphins’ vision likely involves Rosen competing with a rookie quarterback drafted in the near future. Rosen is under contract for two more seasons, while Fitzpatrick is signed through next season.

But Rosen could force his way out of the situation if he wanted to revive his career elsewhere.

Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa, LSU’s Joe Burrow, Georgia’s Jake Fromm, Oregon’s Justin Herbert and Oklahoma’s Jalen Hurts are the top quarterbacks who will be available in next April’s draft. Miami is considered the favorite to land the No. 1 pick after its 0-5 start.

According to Flores, the Dolphins already believe they have a fair evaluation of Rosen’s play through the offseason, training camp and just three starts.

But Rosen hopes to make the most of the final 11 games this season and before any future scenarios play out.

“I think you earn each start that week,” Rosen said. “I’m not really entitled to anything or deserve anything outside of what’s been given to me. I’m a member of the Miami Dolphins. Whatever they want me to do, I’ll do to the best of my ability.”