Tua's first NFL start will come as the Dolphins host the Rams on Sunday, November 1
Wednesday 21 October 2020 16:08, UK
The Miami Dolphins have confirmed Tua Tagovailoa will be their starting quarterback when the team returns from its bye week.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, who has led the Dolphins to back-to-back wins in the last two weeks and a 3-3 record on the season, will now be the backup QB.
Tua, the No 5 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, relieved Fitzpatrick late on in Miami's 24-0 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, completing his first NFL pass.
"He's gotten more comfortable", said Dolphins coach Brian Flores. "His accuracy, decision-making have been good in practice. We're comfortable and confident that he'll be able to be competitive in those games when that time comes.
"Fitz has done a great job. He's been productive. His leadership's been great. It's not an easy decision for me or us as an organization. But we felt like for the team now and moving forward, this is the move we need to make."
The timing of the Dolphins' move is likely due to the fact they now head into their bye week, giving Tua two weeks to prepare for his first NFL start, against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, November 1.
Fitzpatrick has averaged 255.8 pass yards per game in 2020, the 37-year-old veteran throwing 10 touchdowns to seven interceptions through the opening six games of the season. He was 18 of 27 for 191 yards, three TDs and two picks against the Jets.
After Sunday's win, Tua spoke of the support he has received from Fitzpatrick and teammates already in his rookie season.
"To just be out there with my teammates, being my first time and getting the support and love from them, I think that was awesome," Tua said.
"Then you have a 16-year vet like Fitz who has no animosity towards it as well, who has just been supportive the entire time. Good drive, bad drive he comes to the sideline and talks through his process about why he did some things.
"I'm very fortunate to have a mentor like him who is very encouraging on the field and he's very personable off the field as well."
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