How Miami Dolphins QB Josh Rosen could benefit from waiting, learning and earning like Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes

DAVIE — Barring something unforeseen, Josh Rosen is going to begin his second season in the NFL and first in Miami as a backup quarterback, on the sideline, with a clipboard.

Dolphins coach Brian Flores explained Tuesday why that would not necessarily be a bad thing for Rosen, as it has paid dividends for others.

“Patrick Mahomes is a guy that comes to mind,” Flores said. “(Tom) Brady is a guy that comes to mind – Steve Young, (Aaron) Rodgers. There’s a pretty good list. I’m not even naming them all. I think sitting — in some instances, not all — could be a good thing. Sitting, learning, improving your technique, improving your fundamentals, going through the mental reps of games and practices, I think guys have gotten better that way.”

Rosen noted on Tuesday he hasn’t sat on the bench much throughout his high school, college and NFL career. But he said he’ll continue to learn, no matter the circumstance.

“I think I’ve made some pretty good progress since I’ve gotten here,” Rosen said. “And I continue to progress. And once coach thinks I’m sort of good enough to go, I’ll be ready to go.”

Flores was quite clear and direct when broached with the notion that it might make more sense for a rebuilding franchise to start a 22-year-old quarterback (Rosen) over a 36-year-old quarterback (Ryan Fitzpatrick) if the competition is at all close.

“That case could be made,” Flores said. “A case could be made that playing the older guy — a case could also be made that the younger guy is not ready. I think a lot of times — I understand that thought process but I’m the one dealing with the individual player, and sometimes guys just aren’t ready. The whole sink or swim mentality, it’s easy for somebody on the outside to say; but for that individual player and the best interests of that individual person, that might not be the case.”

No announcement has been made. But it is clear Flores has tremendous respect for Fitzpatrick’s leadership skills. And he going to make Rosen earn any playing time.

“I think there is a hunger to play by sitting and I think guys understand that it’s a privilege to be in this league and privilege to play,” Flores said. “I think they take advantage of – when they get an opportunity, they understand how important that is and they take full advantage of it.”

Rosen suggested he’s not consumed by constant thought about the competition. But he also wanted to make clear this is important to him.

“I don’t need any additional drive or hunger,” Rosen said. “I have plenty of chips on my shoulder. I’m just trying to be the best player I can be. I’ve re-shaped my focus, since the end of last year. I’ve tried to sort of reign in the focus more on me and how I can help the team by becoming the best quarterback I can be. A lot of the this guy played right away, this guy sat, this guy didn’t, this guy, it’s just sort of, extra information, that I don’t really need in my life right now. Really my goal is to perform the best I can.”

Flores said the quarterback competition will not be decided on Thursday, which leads one to believe, well, yes, it’s pretty much already been decided.

It seems likely Fitzpatrick and Rosen are aware of the situation heading into Thursday night’s game against Jacksonville.

Rosen was asked how close he is to being an effective NFL starting quarterback.

“Effective, I think I can be effective right now,” Rosen said. “(In Arizona) I think I was effective to a degree. I just have to get more effective.”

Rosen said he’s going to continue to try to emulate what Fitzpatrick does well, and avoid mistakes the veteran makes. In the last game, Rosen took some responsibility for a few sacks that he said had unfairly been blamed on Miami’s offensive line.

Rosen seemed a bit resigned to his role on Tuesday. The announcement may come as early as late this week or early next week, but it seems clear that at least at the start of this season, Rosen will be an NFL backup.

“There are opportunities to learn from, whether you just took a sack and are on your back, or just threw a touchdown,” Rosen said. “Or sitting on the bench with an earpiece, with an earpiece, dialed into every single play.”

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