Skylar Thompson's relief performance in Miami's Week 2 loss to Buffalo didn't provide a strong reason for optimism as he prepares to handle the starting duties for the foreseeable future.
The Dolphins, however, are united in backing their quarterback for a simple reason: He's been grinding with them behind the scenes for quite some time.
“The confidence that the team has for Skylar is real and it’s earned and it’s based upon thousands of hours that, as a backup quarterback, most people don’t see,” head coach Mike McDaniel said Wednesday, via team transcript.
Thompson will start Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks with Tua Tagovailoa set to miss at least the next four games after suffering a concussion that led to his placement on injured reserve Tuesday.
"You just make the decision that’s best and move forward," McDaniel said of the decision to put Tagovailoa on IR. "I think we came to the conclusion in collaboration, and I think that’s what you have to do."
The last time Thompson took significant snaps for the Dolphins was at the end of the 2022 season after Miami shut down Tagovailoa for the remainder of the campaign. He led Miami to an 11-6 win over the Jets in Week 18, then completed 18 of 45 attempts for 220 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in a three-point loss to the Buffalo Bills on Super Wild Card Weekend.
Since then, it's been Tagovailoa's job -- at least, until Tagovailoa suffered a concussion in Miami's Thursday night loss to the Bills, forcing Thompson into action. He struggled with accuracy amid the blowout loss, finishing 8 for 14 for 80 yards. However, McDaniel's believes Thompson has progressed in time spent practicing and on the sideline.
"He has [run] our plays in a walkthrough setting probably more than anybody on our team because he’s going through the process diligently with any player that maybe is a practice squad guy, new guy, somebody that’s coming back from injury," McDaniel said. "He’s done that for a calendar year incessantly, and the results are there is a broader chest in the huddle. There’s more conviction when you do this, that or the other."
Miami signed veteran Tyler Huntley off the Ravens' practice squad this week as insurance behind Thompson, but it's clear the Dolphins are proceeding with Thompson as their man. Despite Thompson's lack of time on field, his teammates remain optimistic he'll do just fine.
“We’re confident in his ability,” Dolphins receiver Jaylen Waddle said Monday. “He plays with a lot of swag out there, so it’s going to be fun. I’m excited. … I think he’s prepared for the moment.”
We'll find out whether Waddle is correct Sunday when the Dolphins head to Seattle.