QB Clarity for Dolphins Opponents

The Miami Dolphins' 2025 schedule features several teams with question marks at quarterback, and there were some significant developments this week

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) is wrapped up by Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Calais Campbell (93) during a game against the Miami Dolphins at Lucas Oil Stadium last season. | Grace Hollars/IndyStar USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images-Imagn Images

The Miami Dolphins have had their offseason complications, but it's nothing like what their opponents for the 2025 season have experienced.

Off the field, the Indianapolis Colts went through the passing of team owner Jim Irsay, and now they're dealing with what appears to be a non-insignificant injury issue with one of the two players expected to compete for the starting quarterback job.

And that player was the fourth overall pick in the 2023 draft, Anthony Richardson, who is again dealing with a right shoulder injury that head coach Shane Steichen said would keep him from working in the team's minicamp. Worse, Steichen said he was hoping Richardson would be ready to go at some point during training camp.

This certainly would seem to suggest it's more than likely the Dolphins will face Daniel Jones, the former fifth overall pick of the New York Giants, when they open the season against the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sept. 7.

The Colts signed Jones in the offseason with the idea he'd compete with Richardson after the latter's uneven first two NFL seasons, but it looks like he might win the job by default.

Richardson was even up and down in his start against the Dolphins last season when he struggled with his passing but made plays with his running ability in a game the Colts ultimately won, 16-10, because they took advantage of Miami's offensive ineptitude, highlighted by two fumbles and a failed fourth-down rushing attempt.

Richardson had a 59.2 passer rating in that game, though he did have a team-high 56 rushing yards.

The Dolphins also have faced Jones once before, that game coming in 2023 at Hard Rock Stadium.

Jones was much more efficient, completing 14 of 20 passes, but everything was short, and he was sacked six times before leaving the game in the fourth quarter for veteran backup Tyrod Taylor. The Giants' offense failed to reach the end zone that day, their only touchdown coming on a 102-yard pick-six.

STEELERS GET THEIR ANSWER

If the Colts got a major question mark Thursday, the Pittsburgh Steelers got their exclamation point with the news that Aaron Rodgers would be flying into town to sign a contract and take part in their minicamp next week.

This long had been rumored, but until now there always was the possibility that Rodgers simply could decide to retire.

For the Dolphins, this means their Week 15 Monday night game at Acrisure Stadium should be more challenging than it the starting quarterback had been Mason Rudolph. Rodgers' arrival also could mean bad news for former Dolphins backup Skylar Thompson if the Steelers decide to keep only two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster.

Rodgers didn't have great production during his two-year stint with the New York Jets, but he had two of his better performances of 2024 against the Dolphins. His season high in passing yards (339) came in the game at Hard Rock Stadium in December and his season high in touchdown passes (4) came in the rematch at MetLife Stadium in the season finale.

QB OPPONENT RANKING

Regardless of whether it was going to be Jones or Richardson, the opener against the Colts always was going to feature one of the least challenging QB matchups for the Dolphins.

As it stands right now, the only ones that jump out as being less challenging would be the November game against the New Orleans Saints, who are looking at starting either Spencer Rattler or rookie second-round pick Tyler Shough.

If we're looking at the Dolphins' 2025 schedule and each team's current QB situation, this would be our ranking in terms of toughest challenge:

1. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
2. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
3. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
4. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
5. Justin Herbert, L.A. Chargers
6. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
7. Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers
8. Drake Maye, New England Patriots
9. Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons
10. Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers
11. Joe Flacco, Cleveland Browns
12. Justin Fields, New York Jets
13. Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts
14. Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints