The Miami Dolphins selected Alabama southpaw quarterback Tua Tagovailoa with the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, but that selection may already be turning controversial if this report proves accurate.

According to Barry Jackson in the Miami Herald, the Dolphins are expected to start the 2020 season with veteran gunslinger Ryan Fitzpatrick in the driver's seat of the offense. Meanwhile, rookie signal-caller Tagovailoa, 22, is expected to be on the bench soaking up wisdom from the sidelines.

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)
Miami Dolphins head coach MIke McDaniel next to Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill. Mike McDaniel has a speech bubble with iMessage three dots/ellipsis.

Ben Strauss ·

Chris Grier on one side, Jaylen Waddle and Jaelen Phillips on the other side with the big eyes emoji over their faces

Owen Crisafulli ·

Dan Marino and Jim Kelly

Benedetto Vitale ·

One person who spoke to the Dolphins’ front office came away with the impression that while it’s likely Fitzpatrick will begin the season as the starter, Miami isn’t opposed to playing Tagovailoa as a rookie if he earns the opportunity at some point this season.

Part of the controversy surrounding selecting Tagovailoa at No. 5 was how the Hawaii native ended his collegiate career—with a troublesome hip injury requiring surgery. Both the Dolphins and the neophyte quarterback have downplayed lingering effects of the injury, but with rumors already trickling in that Tagovailoa could start the season on the bench, it begs the question of how healthy the former Crimson Tide QB is.

Fitzpatrick was serviceable for first-year head coach Brian Flores as the prime quarterback in the offense, overshadowing sophomore signal-caller Josh Rosen. Roen was acquired from the Arizona Cardinals the previous offseason. The next concern, however, is how long Fitzpatrick could overshadow the next great hope for the South Beach franchise in Tagovailoa.

Fitzpatrick, 37, started 13 games for the Dolphins in 2019, throwing over 3,500 passing yards for 20 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.