The Dolphins are operating in “win now” mode, according to sources who spoke with Tony Pauline of ProFootballNetwork. Meanwhile, some in the front office are doubtful that Tua Tagovailoa is the answer at quarterback, further fueling their push for Texans QB Deshaun Watson. 
Dolphins execs can’t help but compare Tagovailoa’s performance to that of Justin Herbert, who has his Chargers off to a 4-2 start. Head coach Brian Flores and GM Chris Grier have reportedly tried to pump the breaks on Watson discussions, but owner Stephen Ross wants results and both men find themselves on the hot seat.
The reported asking price — three first-rounders and two second-round picks — is undoubtedly steep, especially since Watson could be suspended by the commissioner’s office as soon as he’s traded. Still, Ross’ win-now directive means that the team is not all that concerned about its future draft capital. Ross seems ready to do whatever it takes, even if that means an enormous gamble on Watson.
The Eagles and Panthers have also chatted with the Texans, though the timing of those talks is unclear. For what it’s worth, Darnold has cooled significantly, throwing six interceptions across three-straight Panthers losses. Meanwhile, the Birds are 2-4 with Jalen Hurts throwing for eight TDs against four INTs.
The Dolphins may or may not have competition, but the clock is ticking either way. If they can’t get a deal done by November 2nd, they’ll have to wait until next year for a shot at Watson.
I see the Dolphins going from ‘win now’ mode to ‘tank now’ mode in about a month.
There is nothing to tank for since their really bad GM decided to give up their 1st round pick to draft Waddle in a loaded top of the draft.
So they’ve gone from tanking FOR Tua to tanking WITH Tua
Eagles have dolphins pick
With all of the unsettled legal matters, I can not see the Commish letting be active and play until after his legal mess is resolved. He is basically on a paid suspension now. He has been inactive for every game so far.
Right? This has to be a “time served” type situation that the Texans are hoping for.
The Dolphins just lost to the worst team in the league. They should put down their crack pipe and grasp reality, i.e., last year’s record was a mirage and this team is a long way from being an actual league champion competitor.
I think Ross is senile and doesn’t particularly care if the franchise future is mortgaged. Watson won’t lead the Dolphins to any titles but he could end being the star of their next pet detective movie.
It’s not mortgaged. If they lose another 10 years after these last 25 years, he’ll still be profitable. To me, that’s the real problem, losing pays. Same teams decade after decade. Jags, Browns, Fins, Jets, DC, Atl, SF, Detroit… you know the list. Financially, there isn’t any reason for teams to compete. They all make mad money. Stay on the low end of the ‘cap’ and enjoy it!
I agree that the NFL owners will always be wealthy but they have to be aware that there are owners of other professional sports teams in their city that can take advantage of them if they are chronic losers. Fans only have a limited amount of discretionary entertainment dollars and they will spend those on teams that can win rather than teams that lose year after year.
That hasn’t hurt DC, Miami, or Det to name a few. Heck, MJ is now in his 60’s. Chitown isn’t hurting sports wise. Blackhawks had a nice run (2 Stanley Cups?). 1 ring for the Cubs, that’s it right?
For years the Blackhawks played in a half filled arena because Michael Jordan and the Bulls stole much of their fanbase. Fans will always prefer to support winners rather than losers.
Blackhawks attendance didn’t start dipping until after Jordan’s second retirement. The team stunk, absolutely, and fans also had had it with Dollar Bill Wirtz. Let’s not pretend the fans defected to the Bulls. They just didn’t show for the Hawks.
At any rate, the NFL fan is a different animal. This is a fan base that will spend a lot of money on seats to the game just to wear a paper bag on their face when they are losing. Look at the Lions’ attendance over the past decade. 60,000+ come out year after year to cheer for a team that has no real chance.
I don’t think NFL owners are immune from having their fanbase eroded. Ask people in Atlanta and Houston if they would rather support their baseball or football team right now.
3 Cups. It’s a shame even sports fans can’t remember hockey.
You’re more than welcome to buy the team and run it differently than he is.
I wish I could! I couldn’t buy 0.00001% of any pro team. probably more 0’s than that.
Uhm, weird to have SF in there as they were in the SB…two years ago. Like…historically one of the better franchises whose losing coincides with not having a talented QB and that being pretty much it.
Atlanta? 8 playoff seasons in the 2000s. Not exactly a constantly bad team.
Seems like you just recently started following football presuming some of these teams are always bad.
The Dolphins lost to themselves?
The Dolphins are operating in “win now” mode. They’re 1-5.
Does the bossman know that 1-5 means 1 win & 5 losses? Bad coaching staff, GM & players. Need a bit more than 1 QB.
Bad coaching staff? What more do you want Brian Flores to do?
Unfortunately, Flores does not constitute the entire coaching staff. The co-offensive coordinator gig has failed miserably thus far
Bring in a third team like the Steelers, flip tua for more picks or at least a pick
Washington is that other player in this deal.
You sure? The last report I saw was Denver getting Tua.
If they’re in “win now” mode that’s good news, because they’ve been in “lose often” mode up until now.
They are in win now because the Eagles have their first round pick next year. It’s the #2 pick as of today. Fleeced.
The dolphins have the niners pick
You can have Wilson for 3 1sts 2 2nds and Tua. I believe that is a better deal than getting Watson even if he has no legal troubles and since you will suck for a couple years the picks will be high. We stick with Tua until we find a cant miss QB or get lucky like we did with Wilson.
You guys can then deal with his go Hawks and silly grin. Also he is a CYOA type guy really doesn’t seem to take criticism well. But hey you will have a great QB.
Speaking as a Carolina Panthers fan, I wouldn’t want anything to do with Deshaun and his baggage, and as someone mentioned before, it’s hard to see the NFL execs letting him play until his legal issues are settled.
“What legal issues?”
-Richard Sherman
As a Dolphins fan, I hope that if they get Watson, he suffers a career ending injury on the very first snap. Karma for dealing for someone under investigation for 22 sexual assaults.
If they are so desperate to win, they need to fire Grier and Flores now, and start cleaning house and clearing cap space for the next GM/HC duo, because this isn’t working. Bringing in Watson isn’t going to hide the holes Miami has on its offensive line, its run game, its defense. Just like Watson was unable to hide the holes of a bad Texans team.
Watson lead the texans to 2 titles, a afc championship appearance, with the worst head coach and worst gm and the league.
Formerly Cubswin108 – the Texans have never been to an AFC Championship game. Never.
Pump “the breaks?”
The fact that any team would consider Watson is an indication that the NFL is completely screwed up. No decency among the owners and GMs involved in these discussions.
“Win now mode?” If the Dolphins are able to keep up their torrid early season pace, they’ll wind up 3-14 or MAYBE 4-13…
At the least the NFL doesn’t drag it’s feet on suspensions. Such a joke of an organization.
If your Houston it’s obvious they need a QB back in the trade. So who has the best young QB your willing to trade Watson for? Tua, Hurts, Mayfield, etc. What QB benefits Houston more then trade with that team
One big question, has Watson stopped his activities? You would think yes, but arrogant guys like him love the thrill of the chase. We may be hearing more later about this.
So say he doesn’t play and they continue to lose…they then lose out on a really high draft pick. I just don’t see the sense in that and this seems like a league intervention deal to me.
I wouldn’t touch that deal EVER. WAY too steep to get a guy that may end up in prison. BUT then the NFL has kept others out of the big house in the past…..Money talks in the Legal system.