Fitzpatrick awaits battle with Tua for Dolphins' QB job

Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick's house was quiet at midday Thursday, probably because online schoolwork occupied his kids.

He has seven. And despite pandemic lockdown, re are often eugh youngsters gared for Fitzpatrick family to field a football team.

"My bror lives next door, and he has five kids. That’s 12 every day running around," Fitzpatrick said from his home in Arizona. “It has been a little bit crazy.”

This will be Fitzpatrick's 15th NFL offseason, and ne has been like this. rmally he'd be taking part in spring workouts at team complex, but because of coronavirus, training sessions are conducted via Zoom.

Two things haven't changed. Fitzpatrick's beard still ranks among best in sports, even with barbershops closed because of pandemic. And he faces a battle for playing time whenever training camp starts.

journeyman had one of his best seasons in 2019, leading a turnaround from an 0-7 start to a 5-11 finish. At 37, he was voted Dolphins' most valuable player.

y neless used ir top draft pick on a quarterback, and if things go as Dolphins hope, Tua

But he's long accustomed to job insecurity. Even last year he was demoted to . 2 behind Josh Rosen for a three-game stretch early in season.

And he embraces role of mentoring Tagovailoa, regardless of who's . 1.

“I've been in this situation before a little bit,” Fitzpatrick said. “I'm excited for him to be here. I loved watching him play in college. He's going to be an awesome addition to team for a long time. I'm going to do best I can to help him."

Make mistake, though: Fitzpatrick hopes Tagovailoa spends his rookie season on bench.

“I’m as competitive as y come,” Fitzpatrick said. “I want to start. I kw re are a lot of forces that go into it. Wher it happens or t, who kws?”

Defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, who also held a virtual interview session Thursday, ted that QB battle plays into what coach Brian Flores wants at all positions.

“That's big, drafting Tua,” Godchaux said. "Coach Flo is always going to look to create competition. That’s what elevates your team to next level. By him doing things like that, sky’s limit for our team in future."

pandemic, however, has slowed offseason momentum. Dolphins signed 11 free nts and drafted 12 rookies, but holdovers like Fitzpatrick have yet to meet newcomers.

“It’s difficult t being re,” he said. “re are going to be a lot of new faces, a lot of youth. You want to get on field and start practicing and learning system and each or.”

Fitzpatrick's also er to start working again with new offensive coordinator Chan Gailey. y spent five seasons toger with Bills and Jets.

From a personal standpoint, Fitzpatrick sees one bright side to pandemic.

“It actually has been a good time to get away from everything else and reconnect with family and enjoy each or -- breakfast, lunch and dinner toger,” he said. “We haven't left house a whole lot. It has been good for us in sense we’ve gotten to spend a lot of quality time toger.”

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