The Dolphins are heading out west to face the Seahawks at Lumen Field for the first time since 2016. The big story of the week is a change at quarterback. The Dolphins placed Tua Tagovailoa on injured reserve so he will miss at least the next four games. The next man up is third-year signal caller Skylar Thompson.
Here's what the team is saying ahead of Thompson's first start since the 2022 season.
THE 12TH MAN
Offensive Coordinator Frank Smith on playing in Seattle - "It's a loud place. Back when I was with the Saints, we played there in 2013 and we played there on Monday night, too. It was something else. We work through that in training camp and we have our ways that we know we can effectively operate in noise. It'll be a good challenge. Like all the places on the road, every place is challenging with the noise, so it's stuff that we've been working on and we'll make sure we're ready for it on Sunday."
Quarterback Skylar on playing in Seattle - "Just hearing guys talk and guys that have been there, it's a special place to play and the 12th man is real. I'm super excited for that. For me, that's what you want. That's why football is such a great game, and being able to go on the road, having a road opportunity with the guys and get to go in there and go to battle with them in that environment is fun. We're really excited for that opportunity."
GOING FOWARD WITH SKYLAR THOMPSON
Linebacker Jaelan Phillips - "I just think we got to do our job, that's all we can do. We don't have to play bigger than what we are; we just got to do our job – stop the run and then rush the passer. I've got a lot of faith in Skylar (Thompson), I've got a lot of faith in our offense in general. So I think if we can just go out there and play the brand of defense that we all know that we can play, then we'll be good."
Quarterback Skylar Thompson on starting - "I think first and foremost is just being myself, and for me, I'm a team-first guy. I love to go play with my teammates and that's a goal of mine every time I step into the huddle, is for them to feel the confidence in my voice and the way that I speak the play out, the way we break the huddle, our urgency. Those little things and the details go a long way, and for me, that's where my focus is at, is just the little details of things and having good urgency, speaking up and if I don't like something or if I want something run a different way or whatever, having the confidence to voice my opinion. I'm very thankful for the guys listening and taking my opinion into account.
Head Coach Mike McDaniel - "When I tell you that the confidence that the team has for Skylar (Thompson) is real and it's earned, and it's based upon thousands of hours that as a backup quarterback most people don't see. I would say they are very motivated to do their jobs and that's the greatest compliment you could see. I don't think it's on anybody's minds. I think they're focused on doing right by their job, their opportunity, their teammates, and quite frankly, we are only what we commit to each other.
Linebacker Jordyn Brooks on his advice to Thompson - "Just know that we're on the field with him. He's not out there by himself – literally, there's 10 other guys out there with him. Just know that; trust in the preparation that we go through this week and just play your game. You don't have to do nothing special."
For more analysis on the Dolphins season so far, download Drive Time with Travis Wingfield, available wherever you get your podcasts.
