Brian Flores Makes Tough, Yet Right Call For The Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins might have got their luckiest win of the season. With a 26-25 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, their playoff hopes were kept alive. A loss wouldn’t have eliminated them completely but would bump them out of the final spot temporarily. It would take a loss by the Ravens to stay in a wildcard spot. One of the wildest no-look completions, as well as an obvious penalty, won Miami the game.

The bigger story, however, is the second benching of Tua Tagovailoa in favor of Ryan Fitzpatrick. Immediately everyone jumped on the “quarterback controversy” bandwagon and with good reason. Normally when a coach switches to a different quarterback mid-season it usually indicates a lack of confidence in their starting QB. Hopefully, for the Dolphins, coach Brian Flores is navigating the terrain with great caution.

It takes a leader to make sure he’s in constant communication with his players to assure their contribution is appreciated. By putting the rookie in a position to be outperformed by the aging veteran in Fitzpatrick. Instantly it injects a bit of doubt in a quarterback looking to change the face of the franchise. If confidence falters early it can derail the progression of young talent. By switching to Fitz mid-game with the game on the line, it has to attack Tagovailoa’s confidence. So Flores might be gambling, but it’s on him as a coach to navigate the switch and let Tua know “today just wasn’t your day”.

More Dolphins: Flores Taking Mental Approach With Dolphins

When it comes to the locker room, Flores also has to show that he’s making the right calls no matter who is under center. By making the switch he’s constantly putting the team first. There has to be the fine line that he’s dedicated to the entire 53-man roster and not just the quarterback position. It would be just as easy to hand the reigns back over to Fitzpatrick but that could be just as dangerous. Naming Tua the starter week in and week out, lets the rookie know that he stands behind him as he learns.

Having Ryan Fitzpatrick come on in relief is a way to develop Tagovailoa as a starter. When Fitzpatrick comes in and makes the throws to a receiver who’s only 1 to 2 steps in front of a defender instead of a wide-open man puts on film what it takes to gain confidence in their receivers. Tua needs to see his mistakes just as much as he needs the support. It’s on the coach to keep the young QB’s mind right and make sure he’s headed in the right direction.

More Dolphins: Flores The Difference Maker In Miami?

Brian Flores has to make the call each week for both the current Dolphins season as well as the next. It’s not an easy call to bench a QB when he’s having an off day, but knowing when he doesn’t have it to put the team in the best position to win. Miami is on the verge of a playoff spot. They have a championship defense that can keep them in games with any team in the league. Benching their QB wouldn’t be as big of a deal if it were the other way around. If Flores benched Fitzpatrick in favor of the rookie because they needed a spark, no one would be talking about it as much.

There are 53 other men on the roster that deserve the tough call to be made so their season isn’t a waste. Going into the offseason, the Dolphins can address and develop Tua’s struggles. Going into next season he’s gotta be the guy putting them in a position to win. However, as far as this season goes, they’ve got their shot and need to do what it takes to win.