Five “What If” scenarios in Miami Dolphins history

Miami Dolphins “What If” #3: What if Dan Marino won a Super Bowl?

Before Tom Brady came and removed all doubt, the discussion about who the greatest quarterback of all time is was one with many possible and viable answers.

Your choice depended on a few things; who had the best numbers? Who was the best pure passer? Which quarterback had the most Super Bowl victories? And unless you used the last one as your exclusive barometer, Dan Marino was the answer.

Marino was considered, and still is, the greatest pure pocket passer that the game has ever seen. His mechanics are flawless, his quick release stuff of legend. He had the numbers, too.

Before the league turned pass-happy with quarterbacks defying time and playing into their late 30s and early 40s, Marino held essentially every significant record in the book, from yards to touchdowns. And he did it in a league that catered more to defensive backs and the run game alike.

So what if Marino did win a Super Bowl? What if, instead of falling short to the 49ers in 1984, the Miami Dolphins were crowned champions?

The discussion would be over. He would have his elusive championship ring. All of the “Yeah, but..” would be non-existent. Dan Marino would be considered to be the outright greatest quarterback of all time. He’d have the attributes, the numbers, and the Super Bowl to boot.

His numbers would still have been eclipsed by Rodgers, Brees, and the like, and anyone who wants to educate the younger generation on Marino’s mechanics has to go to YouTube to pull up old clips. And of course, Brady is now the undisputed GOAT given his winning record.

But for a good 20-25 years prior, it would have been Dan Marino as the undisputed greatest quarterback of all time.