Miami Dolphins Face Quarterback Uncertainty as Trade Deadline Approaches

The Miami Dolphins are at a pivotal moment in their season, facing growing concerns about the quarterback position after their first month of play. Backup QB Tyler Huntley was expected to show noticeable improvement between his first and second starts for the franchise. However, despite a narrow 15-10 victory over the struggling New England Patriots, Huntley's performance has done little to ease the nerves of Dolphins fans. Just a few weeks ago, many of those same fans had visions of a Super Bowl run, but the recent series of events has cast some doubts.

While Huntley managed to help secure the win, his grasp of the offense remains a work in progress. The Dolphins now enter their bye week with an opportunity for Huntley to further familiarize himself with the scheme and learn to utilize the speed and talent that surrounds him. This time off also allows starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to recover from the third confirmed concussion of his career, sustained in Week Two against the Buffalo Bills. His health and return to the lineup will be pivotal as Miami looks to regain its early-season momentum.

For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, the pressure is mounting. Miami's season thus far has been far from ideal, with a particularly disheartening blowout loss at home to the Tennessee Titans, where backup QB Mason Rudolph delivered a surprising performance. Despite their 3-2 start, the Dolphins' offense under head coach Mike McDaniel has yet to recapture the magic of last year, when they looked like one of the most explosive units in the league. As the November 5th NFL Trade Deadline approaches, the Dolphins are under pressure to sort out their quarterback situation.

Amid this uncertainty, Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports floated an intriguing solution: Miami should consider trading for Dallas Cowboys backup QB Trey Lance. Lance, the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, has had an up-and-down start to his NFL career, but he remains an intriguing prospect with untapped potential. After suffering a broken ankle in just his second game as the 49ers’ starter, Lance lost his job to Brock Purdy, who has since led San Francisco to consecutive NFC Championship appearances and a Super Bowl berth. This offseason, Lance was traded to Dallas for a fourth-round pick.

While Tagovailoa continues to recover, and Huntley shows only incremental progress, the idea of bringing in a young talent like Lance makes sense. Lance, still just 24 years old and playing on the final year of his rookie deal, carries a minimal financial burden for Miami, with a base salary of just over $1 million for the season. Though Lance hasn’t lived up to his pre-draft expectations, his physical tools and potential make him an intriguing option for the Dolphins. Miami could acquire him at a relatively low cost, and he could serve as a much-needed insurance policy should Tagovailoa experience any setbacks.

Lance’s limited NFL stats—797 passing yards, five touchdowns, three interceptions, 235 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown—indicate that he hasn’t had much opportunity to prove himself. However, his athleticism and arm strength are traits that likely still intrigue talent evaluators around the league. The Dolphins, with a roster built to win now, need to decide whether they’re willing to gamble on Lance’s potential. It’s not a guaranteed fix, but it may be a calculated risk worth taking as they prepare for the final push of the season.

While Huntley has given them a temporary solution, Miami’s Super Bowl hopes may hinge on securing a more reliable backup should Tagovailoa not be fully ready. The earliest expectation from the Miami Dolphins for his return could be Week Eight. As the trade deadline looms, the next few weeks will determine whether the Dolphins stick with what they have or make a bold move to shore up their quarterback depth. Either way, the pressure in South Florida is building, and how they navigate this situation could define their season.