“The confidence that the team has towards Skylar is real and it’s earned and it’s based upon thousands of hours that, as a backup quarterback, most people don’t see,” McDaniel said. “He has ran our plays in a walkthrough setting probably more than anybody on our team.

McDaniel fully endorsed backup quarterback Skylar Thompson on Monday, reflecting on the signal-caller’s progress and efforts since first landing in Southern Florida.

Head coach Mike McDaniel doubled down on Monday on his previous comment that Thompson would lead the offense. Tagovailoa is sidelined because of his latest concussion. McDaniel also explained why he's confident the 2022 seventh-round pick can move the offense despite very pedestrian statistics in his four previous career starts.