Tyler Huntley Named Starter For Dolphins Vs Titans

MIAMI GARDENS, FL – With Monday’s showdown against the Tennessee Titans just 48 hours away, the Miami Dolphins have named Tyler Huntley their starter at quarterback.

Nothing Left To Lose

After Tua Tagovailoa went down with a concussion in their loss a couple of weeks ago against Buffalo, Miami’s been relying on their backups. Coming into the season, they had both Skylar Thompson and Mike White. After a competitive preseason between the two, Thompson won the backup role, and White was cut, eventually signing with Buffalo’s practice squad.

Miami then signed Tim Boyle back in August to the practice squad. After Tua’s injury, he was elevated to the active roster, joining both Thompson and Tyler Huntley, who had signed with the Dolphins a few days earlier. Ultimately, Thompson started in their loss against Seattle this past week and left the game early due to a chest injury. Tim Boyle stepped in and finished the contest.

With options running out and two quarterbacks injured, (Tua was placed on the IR before the Seattle game) head coach Mike McDaniel and the coaching staff are now relying on Huntley.

Used To The Responsibility

A South Florida kid from Dania Beach who went to Hallandale High School, Tyler “Snoop” Huntley spent four seasons with the University of Utah. The Baltimore Ravens signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2020.

He was initially waived and then signed to the practice squad in Baltimore. Due to both injuries and COVID-19 cases, he was elevated back to the active roster. He served as Lamar’s backup for the majority of the season, though only making appearances late in games in blowouts.

Huntley’s first NFL start came in November of 2021 against Chicago due to Jackson suffering an illness. Huntley led the Ravens to a 16-13 win which included a game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter. He would see a couple more starts later in the season as Jackson was battling with injuries.

#Ravens talented backup QB Tyler Huntley is now 29 of 32 passing for 238 yards with 2 TDs in pre-season.

In a spot start vs the #Packers last season, Huntley had 3 total TDs and 288 yards

He's only 24 years old, making only 895k, A needy team should look at him over a Garoppolo pic.twitter.com/pza4wnkHfi

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 22, 2022

In Week 13 of 2022, Jackson went down with a knee injury that sidelined him for the rest of the season, so the starting role was given to Huntley. In four games, he finished with a record of 2-2, recording 658 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions, with an additional 137 rushing yards.

Despite a short stint as the starter, he did enough to earn a spot in the Pro Bowl as a replacement for Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen who was injured at the time. That decision is still looked at with mixed reactions as a lot of people didn’t believe he did enough to earn it.

In 2023, Huntley made one start in the final game of the regular season as Baltimore wrapped up the #1 seed in the AFC. He then signed with Cleveland this past offseason but was released not long after. Huntley then re-signed with Baltimore’s practice squad before Miami picked him up.

“Snoop has started multiple and many big games. As a quarterback, understanding exactly what is required to win over teammates to take the place of someone else and be able to assert their own personality and skillset and traits within the offense and lead people,” Dolphins Head Coach Mike McDaniel.

Best Of Both Worlds

Overall, Huntley featured a style at QB that some would say is similar to the player he was backing up – Lamar Jackson. He’s a solid passer who can make short to medium-range throws. His pocket presence and ability to scramble when it collapses is what he’s known for.

His scrambling ability is something that the Dolphins have never seen before. It could prove beneficial when paired up with De’Von Achance in option plays. He’s got a good arm and can throw well when on the run, with the ability to make plays happen even when the defense gangs up on him.

Tyreek Hill said he feels Tyler “Snoop” Huntley can make every throw and is special with his legs. https://t.co/0uM6kEuqKt pic.twitter.com/kFmtPFObfj

— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) September 26, 2024

I think this is the best choice at quarterback for Miami right now. It seems like the team felt this way for a few days before making the announcement today. He’s proven that he can step in and lead an offense wherever he goes. It’ll be interesting to see how they balance his rushing abilities with the existing playbook, as Tua was NOT a scrambler.

The fact that he’s making his first start as a Dolphin under the lights makes this scenario a bit more special. He’ll take on a feisty Tennessee Titans defense this Monday, September 30th at 7:30 pm.