Dolphins name Ryan Fitzpatrick starting QB over Tua Tagovailoa

Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores officially announced Ryan Fitzpatrick will be the team’s starting quarterback in Week 1. This is not a shocking development, but does make official what has been expected much of the offseason.

Fitzpatrick competed with first round pick Tua Tagovailoa through training camp. However, it sounds like Tagovailoa’s 2019 hip injury was part of the deciding factor. Last week, Flores said that while the QB’s health was looking good, “time since hip injury will be a factor in the discussion about which quarterbacks are active in Week 1,” according to the Palm Beach Post.

Tagovailoa is the Dolphins long-term choice at the position, but there is no rush for the time being. Aside from just making sure he’s healthy, the team is still a ways off from competing for a playoff berth. They have improved from last year, but they haven’t quite entered that window where it makes sense to get Tagovailoa in the lineup as soon as possible.

Fitzpatrick is not someone you’ll look to roster in fantasy football. Currently, the highest drafted Dolphin is wide receiver DeVante Parker, as WR21 and 53rd overall player. Running back Jordan Howard is currently RB30 and 86th overall, and Matt Breida is RB39 and 107th overall. Tight end Mike Gesicki is TE15 and 131st overall. As long as Fitzpatrick’s in the lineup, none of them gets a bump in value.