Some Changes Coming for 2023 Phins
2023 is a critical year the Phins
Since the Miami Dolphins got knocked out of the playoffs in a well fought team effort, it was announced that Tua will be the starting QB in 2023. Even after two confirmed concussions, they don’t feel he is more susceptible to concussions and feel comfortable with him leading the team in this critical year for both Tua and the Phins. The only real instability or big change coming to the Dolphins will be on the defensive staff with Josh Boyer being fired along with some position coaches.
But don’t expect the questions of who the Dolphins QB in will be 2023 to stop. In fact, expect them to heat up.
Expect an offseason full of ‘Tua or Brady’
The best price per head software providers put the odds out on where Tom Brady will play next and the Raiders are the favorite at -110, the Bucs are second at +110 and the Dolphins are actually the third favorite at +300. But, while Miami is publicly making comments that they are committed to Tua, they have a history of saying one thing and doing another. So, don’t be too surprised if this somehow ends up similar to when Deshaun Watson was on the trading block.
The reality is though that when Tua played this season he showed marked improvements in all major QB metrics. I think Tua can be a top QB in the league when he plays. However, his durability is a real question mark as he has yet to play a full season due to injuries. Last season was different than any of his other injured season by being marred by serious concussions. Bones, ligaments, and tendons are one thing, the brain is a whole other thing. While it’s possible from him to shrug off the injury bug, only Tua’s strongest supporters put full faith that Tua will 100% stay healthy for full seasons at a time.
Even if you believe Tua will stay healthy, looking in Free Agency or the draft for a Plan B if he is unavailable is wise, just in case. And I don’t include banking on Skylar as Plan B. Part of the equation? Yes! But this team is playoff caliber by nearly knocking off one of the Super Bowl favorites on the road with our third string QB. Miami can’t afford to waste these years of potential relevance.
Defense is where the real flux will be
On paper the defense should have been better this season, but even though they played well in the playoff game, it’s fair to say the defense underperformed. The biggest problems were their lack of game changing turnovers, 3rd Down defense, and pass defense… and unfortunately sometimes just bad luck. The good news is the Phins are in control of 3 out of 4 of these problems.
The Dolphins have made a request to interview Seattle Seahawks defensive assistant and assistant head coach Sean Desai, who was in his first season in Seattle. In 2021 he was the defensive coordinator for the Bears, where Chicago’s defense allowed 23.9 points per game, which was 21st in the league and 316.7 yards per game which was fifth in the league. Nothing screams must have here, but other teams such as the Browns and Vikings have also made a request to interview him, which clearly shows an interest in him.
The other name being floated around for the defensive coordinator position is Vic Fangio, who is a former head coach of the Broncos and is well respected in the league. Fangio would be the splashier name, but there’s no clear signs that he’s even interested in the job.
Let’s hope he is.
More names will definitely pop up, so the 2023 Dolphins defensive coordinator might be someone we have heard about yet. Whoever they end up hiring, it’s critical that the nail this move! Miami has a ton of talent on defense, but they need the right coach to pull it all together to get Miami back in the playoffs in 2023…
… Because next year is all about playoffs AND playoff wins or bust!
What are the rest of the Miami Dolphins news fans thoughts on this?
