The Miami Dolphins appear to have settled their quarterback situation after signing one of the most notable free-agent quarterbacks, Malik Willis, to a three-year contract worth $67 million this offseason. This move has been the team’s only major addition so far, as the organization has focused more on building draft assets and improving its salary-cap flexibility.

One of the most challenging decisions the Dolphins faced this offseason also involved the quarterback position. The team chose to move on from former Pro Bowl passer Tua Tagovailoa. Tagovailoa had been Miami’s primary starter for the previous five seasons. While he delivered several productive years, his 2025 campaign did not meet expectations. With both the team’s results and his performance trending downward, Miami decided to release him, absorbing about $99 million in dead cap space.

Meanwhile, one of Tagovailoa’s former backups has found a new opportunity with the Detroit Lions, continuing a lengthy NFL career.

Former Dolphins Quarterback Joins Detroit

The Lions recently confirmed the signing of veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to a one-year deal. Bridgewater, who spent time with the Dolphins during the 2022 season, has played 11 seasons in the NFL and has earned more than $64 million throughout his professional career.

Before the 2022 campaign, Bridgewater signed a one-year contract with Miami worth $6.5 million. At that time, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel explained that the team wanted an experienced veteran who could guide Tagovailoa and also step in if the starter missed games. McDaniel later acknowledged that Bridgewater was exactly the type of player he had in mind for that mentoring role.

During that season, Tagovailoa unfortunately missed four games due to concussion issues. Bridgewater also dealt with injuries, appearing in five games before suffering a concussion in Week 5 and later breaking a finger near the end of the year.

That finger injury in Week 17 forced Miami to rely on rookie quarterback Skylar Thompson in the regular-season finale against the New York Jets. The Dolphins won that game and secured a playoff berth. Although Bridgewater was healthy enough to dress for the contest, McDaniel chose Thompson as the starting quarterback. After the season ended, Miami did not bring Bridgewater back, and he later signed with the Lions for his first stint with the franchise.

Dolphins’ Current Quarterback Situation

Miami’s quarterback room now looks very different, but one key factor remains the same: the team is unlikely to hold a genuine competition for the starting job. Even though coaches and executives often say every position is open for competition, Willis’ lucrative contract strongly suggests he will lead the offense in the 2026 season.

Sports Illustrated writer Alain Poupart explained the team’s approach by noting that new general manager Jon‑Eric Sullivan has discussed multiple possibilities for shaping the quarterback room, including drafting prospects like Quinn Ewers, selecting more than one quarterback in the draft, or adding another veteran free agent.

However, Sullivan’s comments consistently emphasize competition. While competition can help players improve, it can also highlight uncertainty. As the old football saying goes, if a team believes it has two starting quarterbacks, it likely has none—because the organization is still searching for a clear answer at the most important position on the field.