Miami Dolphins Stand Firm with Tyler Huntley Despite Recent Struggles
Despite a lackluster performance on Monday night, the Miami Dolphins are steadfast in their decision to keep Tyler Huntley as their starting quarterback for the upcoming matchup against the New England Patriots.
Huntley has taken the helm in place of Tua Tagovailoa, who remains sidelined on injured reserve due to a concussion suffered during Week 2. Tagovailoa is reportedly symptom-free but will not be eligible to return until Week 8, leaving the Dolphins to navigate a challenging stretch without their starting quarterback.
Since Tagovailoa's injury in the Week 2 loss to the Buffalo Bills, the Dolphins have struggled to secure a victory. This losing streak was only compounded by Huntley's subpar outing in Monday’s 31-12 defeat to the Tennessee Titans. Huntley completed just 14 of 22 passing attempts for a meager 96 yards, raising questions about the Dolphins’ offensive efficiency.
Yet, head coach Mike McDaniel remains committed to giving Huntley the chance to lead the team. "I just got to hone into being on time with them and get more reps on it," Huntley said, reflecting on his need to improve synergy with his teammates. "That's the only way we're going to build is if we get more reps."
The Dolphins aren't the only team facing difficulties; their next opponents, the New England Patriots, are also in a slump. Both Miami and New England have lost three consecutive games following wins in their respective season openers. The Patriots, currently sitting at 1-3, have been struggling to put points on the board, tallying only 15 points over their last two games. They are coming off a demoralizing 30-12 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers.
McDaniel acknowledged the visible frustrations and leadership within his team, particularly pointing out Hill’s reaction after the loss. "I would expect (Hill) to be visibly upset at somebody. He's a leader, and he wanted to do everything that he could to make sure the result wasn't that," McDaniel commented.
As both teams prepare for their Week 5 clash, the Dolphins hope that continuity with Huntley and more practice reps will lead to improved performance on the field. Whether this strategy will be enough to break their losing streak remains to be seen, but the Dolphins are determined to face the Patriots with resolve and Huntley at the helm.