Miami Dolphins: The three biggest losers from Miami’s offseason

The Miami Dolphins QB-room will miss Fitzpatrick’s leadership.

This is as much a sentimental pick as it is anything else. As a fan first, seeing Fitz leave was tough. From every logical perspective, it had to happen, but that didn’t make it any easier. Watching him come off the bench, put the team on his back, and pull off the throw of the season in a must-win primetime matchup in Vegas was something to behold. I’ve become pretty numb to the pain this past decade-plus, but Fitz allowed me to feel again. Darn-it Fitz, I wish I knew how to quit you!

Joking aside, of course resigning Fitzpatrick for another season was never in the cards. For one, Miami couldn’t afford to pay him what he deserves. He signed a 1-year, $10 million deal with Washington in March. More importantly, though, Tua has to be given full rein of the offense this season…whether that means sinking or swimming. I don’t blame Flores for his decisions last season, but the constant threat of being yanked isn’t healthy for a young QB’s psyche.

Before we go, let’s just appreciate Fitz for another minute. He was the offense in 2019, carrying the team to four of its five victories. The fact that a bearded 37-year-old led the team in rushing yards and TDs was a sad commentary on the state of the roster, but nonetheless remarkable. Tua has raved about Fitz’s role as a leader to the team and a mentor to him personally. Jacoby Brissett was brought in to be the standard-issue backup but he doesn’t have the same locker room presence, nor hold the key to Dolphin fans’ hearts.