Who Should I Start? Tua Tagovailoa or C.J. Stroud

Monday, August 11, 7:24 AM

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa completed five of his six passes for 27 yards in a 24-24 preseason tie with the Chicago Bears on Sunday. Tagovailoa got the start and played on the Dolphins' first series before taking a seat. The veteran quarterback looked sharp, misfiring on just one pass while leading the Dolphins down to the Chicago one-yard line, where Jaylen Wright was stuffed for a three-yard loss on fourth-and-goal. With Tagovailoa locked in as Miami's starting QB, it remains to be seen if he plays much more in the preseason. The Dolphins will face the Detroit Lions in their second preseason contest, which is set for Saturday.

Wednesday, July 16, 2:47 PM

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud had a sophomore slump following his fantastic rookie season in 2023 out of Ohio State. After throwing for more than 4,100 yards, 23 touchdowns, and five interceptions in 15 games in Year 1, he regressed to just over 3,700 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 picks in Year 2. Entering 2025 in what could set him up for a lucrative contract extension, Stroud has trained hard to improve his physical fitness. "I've been working really hard on getting my body right -- losing body fat, trying to be faster, stronger," Stroud said. "And it went really well. ... [Working] pocket mobility, running out the pocket, throwing the rock. Everything kind of works hand in hand." Last season, Houston's offensive line struggled mightily, and Stroud was sacked 63 times, good for the second-most in the NFL behind only Caleb Williams (68). The offensive line could remain an issue after the team traded away franchise left tackle Laremy Tunsil, but sacks are often largely a quarterback stat, too. If Stroud can become more dynamic operating inside and outside of the pocket, it could create more downfield opportunities for pass-catchers Nico Collins, Christian Kirk, and Jayden Higgins, among others.