QB Tua Tagovailoa’s evolution through the Mike McDaniel era could not erase the uncertainty he carried. As we enter the 2025 season, Tagovailoa is a sixth-year franchise QB, still headlined by his inconsistency and fragility. He has sustained three concussions in the last three seasons. But in a way to reaffirm his place in the team, throwing just one interception during the camp did help a little.

Sadly, that too didn’t last for long. The Dolphins‘ offense was out of sync against the Chicago Bears in their joint practice session this Friday. But the one who came under the spotlight was Tua Tagovailoa. First, the QB was intercepted by Bears safety Jaquan Brisker on a pass intended for Chris Myarick. Then, by safety Kevin Byard on a pass to Tarik Black. Finally, LB Tremaine Edmunds intercepted the QB in a red-zone drill. Additionally, Tagovailoa was also sacked on back-to-back plays after a Bears tackle for loss early in 11-on-11 work.

While it may have been a joint practice session, the Dolphins couldn’t lose their fans’ confidence this early. Thankfully, they had Zach Wilson to take a position behind the center. Soon, reporter Omar Kelly tweeted the news on X, “Zach Wilson throws a red 9’e touchdown pass to Andrew Armstrong. Dolphins team celebrates big.”

Wilson’s timely strike provided the clean counterpunch Miami’s offense needed after Chicago’s defense dominated early. No wonder the team huddled up around him after the TD.

Wilson’s series wasn’t perfect, though. He had a miscue on a handoff with Alexander Mattison. Plus, the QB couldn’t connect with RB Jaylen Wright on a short pass over the middle. But when the field compressed, he played on time and found Armstrong for six.

Miami’s staff has preached accountability, and the Friday tape backs it up: a red-zone penalty on the offense, and multiple forced balls into traffic. The defense answered with pressure flashes as Zeek Biggers closed practice with a sack and Bradley Chubb’s impact in the red area. At the same time, special teams nudged roster battles with a punt block from Cameron Goode. These are the margins where roster roles harden. For the Dolphins, Wilson is showing his potential.

Zach Wilson shows the one trait every QB2 must have

Wilson’s red-zone management is exactly the trait a QB2 must carry into live reps if QB1 stalls or health becomes a storyline again. He threw the touchdown that ended with a jubilant huddle. That’s not nothing in August when a room is calibrating its belief structure. Meanwhile, external chatter amplified after Joe Schad’s notes on the three interceptions, with opinion columns using that data point to reopen the floor on Miami’s long-term QB calculus.

Tagovailoa did stack completions in routes-on-air and early 1-on-1s, and the offense found some run-game footing on the edge with wide-zone looks. But Chicago’s safeties won the vision battle, and the linebackers shut the last window in the low red. Miami’s counter has to be formation answers and pace, quick to the flat, slide the launch point, and lean on motion to stress landmark discipline. But above all, cap space or not, protect the football in scoring zones.

Players heard the message without a meeting. The post-touchdown celebration wasn’t performative. It was a pressure valve after a joint practice that tilted the Bears early and demanded a response from somebody in teal. Wilson gave it, Armstrong cashed it, and the defense punctuated the period with a final sack. A neat bow to a day that started rocky and finished with at least one clean situational win.

The next test comes with more live snaps in the preseason. It starts against Chicago. Wilson will have the chance to turn camp flashes into sustained drives. Coaches and teammates know his margin for error is slim. But they also see the tools that made him a high draft pick. In Miami’s view, if they can sharpen his decision-making and consistency, Wilson’s arm can keep the offense afloat if called on — and that’s exactly why he’s still QB2 heading into August.