There’s a popular adage among Miami Dolphins fans that coach Mike McDaniel’s offense is so elite that anybody can run it.
McDaniel, however, takes issues with that assertion.
“To that say anybody could then we’d have open tryouts and that would be very salary cap friendly,” McDaniel quipped Friday morning. “Just because the people who end up being at the helm of the offense end up having productivity, I think the way that Tua [Tagovailoa] plays the position is very unique and it has always triggered me that people have said anybody can. I think Skylar isn’t anybody; he’s somebody that has diligently worked behind the scenes and right next to Tua in this going on his third year. His ability to execute anything in this system is to his credit.”
That fan theory will certainly be put to the test Sunday afternoon when the Dolphins travel to Seattle to face the Seahawks. This will be Thompson’s first start since the 2022 wild card loss to the Buffalo Bills. And while it would be easy to draw a direct line from his rookie year performance (754 passing yards, two touchdown passes and five interceptions) to now, such a comparison would totally overlook the comfortability earned after three years in an offense.
“I was very fortunate to get that opportunity to get those reps my rookie year, and I think that was really good for me to go see that, to feel the speed, see the picture, feel the pass rush, feel all those things and feel the crowd noise,” Thompson said Wednesday, calling McDaniel’s scheme “one of the more complex systems.”
Added Thompson: “Part of being in the third year and having this opportunity again, I feel like I have a very good understanding of what we’re doing and why we’re doing it and being able to anticipate those things and all those things come to account and help me with my progressions and all that stuff. It’s less thinking, so I’m excited for this go around.”
The key words there: “less thinking.” Despite the plethora of offensive weapons and a scheme that led the NFL in total yards in 2023, it’s difficult to distribute the ball or just play freely while second-guessing yourself. Just ask De’Von Achane.
“It might look easy but you have to come in and know our steps, our timing because it’s a timing offense – you got to know where everybody’s going to be at,” Achane said. Despite running his way into the Dolphins records book just three games into the season, Achane admitted that it wasn’t until “mid season” that he “going out there and not thinking for real.” ‘I wouldn’t say it’s easy because you have to come work.”
And look at Achane now. Tied for seventh in receptions. Fourth in yards from scrimmage. Sixth in touches. By no means is this to say that Thompson will have an Achane-type breakout. It’s more so just a reminder that to master an offensive scheme such as McDaniel’s requires time.
That said, no one can definitively say what the Dolphins will look like with Thompson under center. What is abundantly clear, however, is that the third-year quarterback has grown.
“I just think his really understanding of himself, how he needs to play to be successful and knowing his teammates, knowing how to communicate to them and reach them, I just think overall you grow,” offensive coordinator Frank Smith said Thursday. “The hardest year as an NFL player is your rookie year.”
Even Thompson’s teammates have bought into his development.
“The thing I love about Skylar the most is his fight, his grit,” left tackle Terron Armstead said. “He’s got something about him that he just — when things are tough or at its worse or not in his favor is when he shows up the most, and I appreciate that from him. That’s how he got here — a late draft pick, all that, maybe not supposed to be here, says who? That’s kind of his approach, and I love that about him.”
“He does a great job of extending plays,” Tyreek Hill said, later adding “He’s fearless, he’s not afraid of anything and he’s a real competitor. I love that.”
“I feel like he had a great camp and gained a lot of confidence in these last couple of months that I’ve been around him,” Jonnu Smith said. “Just seeing a guy grow is good to see. He’s more than ready.”
Whether he’s ready or not will be evident come 4:05 p.m. EST on Sunday. Because as much support as his coaches and teammates believe in him, confidence doesn’t win ball games.