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- NFL. Dan Marino says the franchise quarterback role isn't for everyone, referencing Tua Tagovailoa
Dan Marino, widely regarded as the greatest quarterback in Miami Dolphins history, isn't shy about what the team needs heading into the 2026 season: a quarterback competition.
In a recent appearance on Mad Dog Sports Radio, Marino stressed that healthy competition at the position could elevate the team's overall play, suggesting they could look to make a trade.
"You have to have competition at that position and I think that's probably where the Dolphins have to go," Marino said.
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"Just have competition there and see what that is. I'm not in the position to say it's going to be free agency or the guys we have or whatever that may be.
"But I do know when you have competition at that position it's going to make it better and better and that's what the Dolphins need to do."
Marino's comments come amid questions about Tua Tagovailoa's future in Miami.
The Dolphins are committed to $54 million guaranteed for Tagovailoa in the 2026 season, making it difficult for the team to move on from him.
Still, Marino emphasized that the new coaching staff will take a careful look at all options rather than automatically handing Tagovailoa the starting job.
Evaluating Tagovailoa and the Dolphins' quarterback room
Marino praised Tagovailoa as a person and teammate but stressed that evaluations under a new staff could change the quarterback hierarchy.
"Excellent guy, human being, and he's still on the roster, so you just don't know right now - the new staff is coming in and they've got to evaluate everything," Marino said.
"Right now, Tua's with us, he's one of our quarterbacks, and that's the way it's gonna be."
That opinion was emphasized by offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, who said that he believes the struggling passer can bounce back and praised his attitude.
"Last year was a difficult year for him for a lot of reasons. He handled it with grace," Slowik said in a media session.
The reality is that Tagovailoa could be a $54 million backup next season if the team decides to bring in competition or shift the depth chart beyond their other tried and tested passer, second-year Quinn Ewers.
While that scenario seems extreme, Marino's comments make it clear that nothing is guaranteed under the Dolphins' new leadership.
Final chance for Tua to save his Miami career
The organization will likely weigh performance in training camp, preseason games, and any offseason acquisitions before finalizing the depth chart.
Marino's call for competition reflects the philosophy that even established starters can benefit from challenges that push them to improve.
With Miami looking to contend in the AFC, having clarity and competition at quarterback could be the difference between another middling season and a playoff push.
The Dolphins' offseason will be closely watched, as fans and analysts await decisions on whether Tagovailoa keeps the starting role unchallenged or faces a high-profile competition.
But the team's quarterback situation will be one of the biggest storylines of training camp and could shape Miami's fortunes in 2026, which puts even more pressure on them to ensure this important call is absolutely correct.