The Miami Dolphins are staring at a pivotal offseason heading into 2026, with their quarterback room facing unprecedented uncertainty. While the team has invested significant resources in the position, the upcoming season may require a strategic pivot to ensure stability and competitiveness. The franchise's front office must carefully evaluate its options, balancing youth development with veteran experience to create a robust depth chart capable of weathering the rigors of an NFL campaign.
The current situation centers on two primary figures: incumbent starter Tua Tagovailoa and backup Zach Wilson. Tagovailoa's tenure in Miami has been marked by flashes of brilliance tempered by injury concerns and inconsistent performance. As the team evaluates its long-term trajectory, questions about his viability as the definitive franchise quarterback persist. Meanwhile, Wilson's contract contains a voidable clause that gives the organization flexibility to part ways without significant financial penalty, effectively making him a temporary solution rather than a cornerstone piece.
This contractual reality thrusts the Dolphins into a proactive stance. With only 23 quarterbacks currently scheduled to hit free agency in 2026, the market presents both opportunities and limitations. The NFL Draft offers a theoretical pathway to replenishing the position, but the likelihood of finding an immediate starter—particularly one capable of elevating a team with playoff aspirations—remains slim. Consequently, free agency emerges as the most viable avenue for acquiring a quarterback who can provide both insurance and legitimate competition.
The organization's needs extend beyond mere depth. Head coach Mike McDaniel's offensive system demands a signal-caller with specific attributes: quick decision-making, accuracy in the short-to-intermediate game, and the mental acuity to process complex defensive schemes. Any addition must complement these requirements while bringing a veteran's perspective to the quarterback room. This becomes especially critical if the team intends to develop a younger prospect like Quinn Ewers, who, despite his potential, requires time to acclimate to the professional level.
Marcus Mariota represents an intriguing blend of familiarity and capability. The former Heisman Trophy winner has carved out a respectable career as a journeyman quarterback, demonstrating the adaptability to function in various offensive systems. His mobility and experience as both a starter and backup make him an ideal candidate to push Tagovailoa while providing a reliable safety net. The cultural fit cannot be overlooked—Mariota's Hawaiian heritage mirrors Tagovailoa's background, potentially creating a mentorship dynamic that benefits both players. This relationship could prove invaluable as the younger quarterback navigates the pressures of leading a franchise with championship expectations.
From a schematic standpoint, Mariota's skill set aligns reasonably well with McDaniel's scheme. His ability to execute play-action passes and contribute as a runner adds a dimension that keeps defenses honest. While his career has been defined more by competence than excellence, the Dolphins could certainly fare worse at the backup position. The veteran's presence would establish a clear hierarchy while fostering healthy competition, ensuring that the starting role must be earned rather than anointed.
Malik Willis presents a different value proposition entirely. The Green Bay Packers' third-round selection from the 2022 draft has experienced a nomadic start to his professional career, but his physical tools remain tantalizing. Under the tutelage of Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich—and potentially influenced by new Dolphins offensive mind Sullivan, who may draw from Green Bay's developmental approach—Willis has shown incremental improvement in his limited game action. His cannon arm and elite athleticism offer a stark contrast to Tagovailoa's precision-based style, giving Miami's offense a legitimate change-of-pace option.
The appeal of Willis extends beyond his raw talent. At 27 years old by the 2026 season, he represents the intersection of youth and experience—a player who has learned from early career struggles but still possesses significant upside. For a Dolphins team potentially contemplating a post-Tagovailoa future, Willis could serve as both a bridge and a trial balloon. If given the opportunity to compete for the starting job, he might seize it in a way he wouldn't elsewhere in a league starved for quarterback talent. The Packers' system has historically emphasized quarterback development, meaning Willis would arrive in Miami with refined fundamentals and a better understanding of professional expectations.
Jimmy Garoppolo embodies a more complicated calculus. The former San Francisco 49ers starter spent years operating in a system that shares philosophical DNA with McDaniel's approach, given their shared roots in Kyle Shanahan's coaching tree. This familiarity represents both Garoppolo's greatest asset and his most significant liability. On one hand, he could theoretically execute Miami's playbook with minimal learning curve, having mastered similar concepts during his tenure with the 49ers. His quick release and comfort with play-action mesh concepts would integrate seamlessly.
However, Garoppolo's injury history and advancing age raise legitimate concerns about his durability and ceiling. By 2026, he will be 34, placing him at the threshold where many quarterbacks experience precipitous decline. The Dolphins must weigh the value of system familiarity against the risk of investing in a player whose best years may be behind him. Additionally, his playing style bears striking similarities to Tagovailoa's, potentially offering redundancy rather than true competition. The organization must ask whether Garoppolo represents a meaningful upgrade or merely a lateral move with greater health risks.
The decision matrix becomes more complex when considering the broader roster construction. Miami's championship window hinges on maximizing the productivity of its offensive weapons—Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and an emerging ground game. The quarterback must not only distribute the ball effectively but also command the respect necessary to prevent defenses from keying on these playmakers. A veteran addition must therefore possess both the technical skill and the intangible leadership qualities to galvanize the locker room.
Financial considerations will inevitably shape the Dolphins' approach. The team must allocate resources across multiple positions, meaning any quarterback investment must deliver clear value. Mariota likely commands a modest salary commensurate with his backup status, while Willis might require a slightly larger commitment reflecting his potential. Garoppolo's price tag could prove prohibitive given his injury concerns, potentially pricing him out of Miami's budget unless he's willing to accept a team-friendly deal.
The organizational philosophy under general manager Chris Grier has typically favored calculated risks over splashy acquisitions. This measured approach suggests the Dolphins will prioritize fit and value over name recognition. The front office's evaluation will extend beyond film study to include medical reports, character assessments, and schematic compatibility. Each candidate's ability to assimilate into Miami's culture while elevating the play of those around them will weigh heavily in the final decision.
Furthermore, the coaching staff's input proves crucial. McDaniel's offensive creativity demands a quarterback who can process information rapidly and execute with precision under pressure. The chosen veteran must demonstrate proficiency in these areas while showing enough flexibility to adapt to in-game adjustments. This requirement eliminates many traditional "game manager" types, narrowing the field to those with proven cognitive processing speed.
The broader AFC East landscape adds urgency to Miami's search. With the Buffalo Bills maintaining stability under Josh Allen and the New York Jets and New England Patriots constantly retooling, the Dolphins cannot afford a quarterback crisis. A single injury or performance slump could derail a season, making depth at the position not a luxury but a necessity. The veteran acquisition must therefore be viewed through the lens of divisional competition—can this player win games in December and January when the stakes are highest?
As the 2026 offseason approaches, the Dolphins' quarterback strategy will reveal much about the organization's self-assessment. Is Tagovailoa viewed as a franchise cornerstone requiring only modest support, or does the front office harbor doubts necessitating a more robust insurance policy? The choice between Mariota's steady hand, Willis's untapped potential, or Garoppolo's system familiarity will signal the team's confidence level in its current trajectory.
Ultimately, Miami's success hinges not on finding a superstar but on securing a competent, reliable quarterback who can execute the game plan and preserve the team's competitive viability. The free-agent market offers several pathways to this goal, each with distinct risk-reward profiles. The Dolphins' decision-makers must weigh these options carefully, recognizing that the right veteran addition could mean the difference between a playoff run and a disappointing campaign. In a league where quarterback stability separates contenders from pretenders, Miami's 2026 offseason moves will be scrutinized intensely, demanding nothing less than a strategic masterstroke.