Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Ryan Fitzpatrick is having a difficult time accepting he was benched for Tua Tagovailoa as the Dolphins quarterback is heartbroken and it’s hard not to feel for him.
The Miami Dolphins have decided to move forward with Tua Tagovailoa as their starter, leaving veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick confused about his role within the organization. Fitz-magic was pulled in favor of rookie first-rounder Tua Tagovailoa in the fourth quarter of the Dolphins’ Week 6 matchup with the awful New York Jets, a game in which Miami won 24-0.
Then, he was benched for good with head coach Brian Flores naming the No. 5 pick the team’s starter. Fitzpatrick was off to an incredible start through six weeks of the season and was on pace for over 4,000 passing yards and 30 touchdowns.
Ryan Fitzpatrick was heartbroken to learn he was benched
Many believed the Dolphins had lucked up with Fitz’s performance, allowing them time to bring Tagovailoa along slowly. One can definitely understand Fitzpatrick’s confusion at the coaching staff’s decision to move on from him.
The 16-year veteran has certainly been benched before, but never after a two-game winning streak on a team with a .500 record and in second place of the division midway through the season. Fitzpatrick initially took the news of his benching well, being visibly ecstatic that Tua was making his debut after the long road to recovery from his hip injury.
The news isn’t feeling so sweet a little later in the week.
You’ve got to feel for Fitzpatrick in this situation, but he knows that it’s simply the business of the NFL. He certainly made himself a very attractive trade option for plenty of teams on the cusp of contention and in need of a veteran quarterback ready to step in and make a difference.
For now, it’s Tua time in Miami.