Who Should I Start? Tua Tagovailoa or Tyler Shough

Tuesday, January 7, 4:35 PM

Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier said on Tuesday that there is "no concern at all" for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's (hip) long-term health after a unique hip injury sidelined him for the final two games of the 2024 season. It's good news, but it also doesn't mean the 26-year-old former first-rounder won't be one of the biggest injury risks at the QB position in 2025. Tagovailoa missed four games while on Injured Reserve this season due to yet another scary concussion and finished with 2,867 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, seven interceptions and a league-best 72.9% completion percentage in 11 starts after his breakout 2023 campaign. In addition to his injury concerns, the Dolphins could have trouble retaining star wideout Tyreek Hill after he voiced his willingness to leave the organization. Injuries and lack of downfield passing will push Tagovailoa down to the QB2 ranks in fantasy in 2025.

Saturday, May 10, 1:01 PM

Now that quarterback Derek Carr (shoulder) has announced his retirement, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport writes that it sets the stage for rookie second-round quarterback Tyler Shough to be the team's eventual starter in 2025. Shough's stock for his rookie campaign was already rising with Carr's availability in question for 2025 due to a shoulder injury, but now Carr is out of the picture completely. The 25-year-old Shough will be competing primarily with Spencer Rattler, who completed just 57% of his passes while throwing four touchdowns and five interceptions in his rookie season in 2024. Even if the Saints give Shough a little more time to develop and name Rattler the starter for Week 1, it seems likely that Shough will be starting games in the Big Easy sooner than later in 2025. Shough is old for a rookie and has plenty of experience, making him the current favorite over Rattler for QB1 duties.