Ryan Fitzpatrick still holds Miami Dolphins job but Rosen pushing
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins have a full-blow camp competition at quarterback as they work through week two of training camp but the gap could be closing.
How far does Josh Rosen have to take his game to overtake Ryan Fitzpatrick in the battle for the Miami Dolphins quarterback job? That is a question everyone wants to know but no one will until the final depth chart is released and head coach Brian Flores announces his starter.
Through the first two days of camp, the nod was clearly in Fitzpatrick’s direction. Two practices later and Josh Rosen was making strides. The two have gone back and forth since then with Fitzpatrick having good practices and then Rosen.
As the Dolphins scrimmage today inside the practice bubble due to weather, the competition continues. Rosen is making better decisions and is improving his footwork. Fitzpatrick is the veteran who has seen it all but is he the better option for the Dolphins?
On social media, fans are debating who should be the starter. Miami invested a 2nd round draft pick in Rosen and a 5th next year. They simply signed Fitzpatrick to a free-agent deal. Many believe that Rosen should be the starter. See what he has and let the season ride on his shoulders. If he fails, then draft a quarterback early next year. If he doesn’t fail, maybe the problem at QB is solved.
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The other side of that debate is that Rosen needs to win the job. Those proponents highlight the fact that it sends a bad message to the rest of the team. Handing Rosen the job without winning the job is not the message of competition that Flores wants his team to buy into. They will argue that if Rosen can’t beat out Fitzpatrick, then how can he lead the team?
Both sides have valid points but in reality, this entire competition is in the hands and on the arm of Josh Rosen. He can win it and put all of the debate to rest. He is making progress.
Flores has stated that Rosen is improving in his footwork and his decision making. That is a big start but Rosen will have to demonstrate that continued improvement daily.
The separation may very well come during the pre-season games when Rosen should see plenty of playing time. It is through those four weeks that Rosen can prove he deserves to start or he doesn’t. At some point this season the Dolphins will need to give Rosen a chance. That could come early or could come late but it needs to happen unless Miami surprises everyone and is in the hunt for something late in the season.
Josh Rosen or Ryan Fitzpatrick? It’s still too early to tell but the fact that Fitzpatrick is no longer running away with the competition means that Rosen may indeed be doing something right.