Miami Dolphins and Jon-Eric Sullivan may have a sleeper trade target available at quarterback amid NFL Combine action
Don’t sleep on this quarterback option for the Miami Dolphins.
INDIANAPOLIS — The Miami Dolphins aren’t tipping their hand just yet.
As this offseason creeps deeper and deeper towards the start of the league year, the wording is becoming more and more strong on what the Dolphins will ultimately do with their current quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa. Reports just this week from insiders have suggested Tagovailoa is “done” in Miami and that, per CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones, the league expects a Post-June 1st cut in his future. General manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley aren’t quite ready to make that commitment just yet — the duo said “everything is on the table” on Tuesday. Sullivan was also flippant when asked about Packers quarterback Malik Willis, an upcoming free agent.
But a development elsewhere in the league may be adding another potential option at quarterback to the menu for the Dolphins this offseason as they mull over their future — and it’s one you shouldn’t sleep on.
Bears backup quarterback Tyson Bagent may be entering the fray of the QB carousel
“I love Tyson. That’s one that kind of pulls at your heartstrings a little bit because he’s someone you care about so deeply and he’s a hell of a football player, that at some point you want to see him have a chance to do it himself. We’ll always do what’s best for our team and our organization. I do think there’s a lot of merit to having a strong No. 2 quarterback, which he certainly fits that bill. I’m of the mind that he’s probably one of the best 32 (quarterbacks) in the NFL. His preseason tape over the last two years has probably confirmed that, in my opinion. If I took myself out of the equation, I want what is best for him. If he would like an opportunity to start, I’d certainly hope he would get that somewhere.”
— Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson on backup quarterback Tyson Bagent
Bagent would have to be a trade target for the Dolphins. He’s currently set to play on the first year of a two-year, $10 million extension in 2026 and is owed $4.25 million in salary in each of the next two seasons. The former undrafted rookie in 2023 illustrated strong physical tools throughout the pre-draft process in 2023 but his platform at Division II Shepard University left enough doubt for the quarterback to slip through the cracks.
He did start four games as a rookie for the Bears in 2023 and actually has six career less pass attempts than Willis, who is projected to earn tens of millions of dollars in free agency next month. Bagent’s playing time the last two seasons is limited. But his preseason execution should be enough to garner interest and consideration, as Johnson points out.
Would the potential of Bagent, who could cost a Day 3 draft choice to acquire, be enough to crown him a surefire starter? Of course not.
But if Quinn Ewers, Tyson Bagent and a potential rookie or small dollar free agent veteran were all given the chance to compete against one another for the starting job? May the best man win. And that starting opportunity that Johnson referred to for his backup quarterback? It would be his in Miami…so long as he went out and took it.
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