Miami Dolphins: Skylar Thompson 'fearless' as he fills Tua Tagovailoa's role at Seattle

MIAMI GARDENS — There was a very fleeting moment where Skylar Thompson thought about if he should bypass a sixth season at Kansas State and shift his career focus toward coaching.

"Brief," Thompson said with a smile in the Miami Dolphins' locker room this week. "Very brief."

Thompson had sustained a serious injury to the pectoral muscle, connected to his throwing shoulder.

"Skylar wanted to go out on top," Kansas State coach Chris Klieman was saying this week, from Manhattan, Kansas. "That's why I was so excited he got to play in that Texas Bowl at LSU. He played as if that were the Super Bowl."

If Thompson had not played that sixth season at Kansas State, there's no way he would have been a seventh-round pick of the Dolphins and in line to start at least the next four games.

If Thompson had not shined in the 45th and final game of his college career, a defeat of LSU at the Texas Bowl - he passed for 259 yards and three touchdowns - he might not have been in this position, either

"Skylar's a flat winner," said Klieman, who stays in touch with Thompson. "When adversity sometimes is at the highest is when I think he performs the best."

The role of backup quarterback in the NFL inherently comes with adversity.

Dolphins coaches and players have expressed confidence all week that Thompson can make a positive impact in Sunday's game at the Seattle Seahawks (4 p.m. Eastern).

"He plays with a lot of swag," said receiver Jaylen Waddle.

"Fearless," said receiver Tyreek Hill.

"His fight, his grit," said left tackle Terron Armstead. "He got something about him."

'Fearless.' 'Swag.' 'Grit.' - Dolphins on Skylar Thompson

Thompson, 27, clearly beat out veteran Mike White, 29, for the role of backup to Tua Tagovailoa this spring and summer.

It's Thompson's third year in Mike McDaniel's offense and the growth is evident.

"There is a broader chest in the huddle," McDaniel said of Thompson. "There’s more conviction."

This week, McDaniel brought up Trey Lance. It's an interesting comparison to Thompson, putting aside that Lance's NFL career has yet to work out.

Lance was an incredible college player at North Dakota State, where he was coached by Klieman.

And McDaniel was a part of the 49ers staff when Lance was drafted.

Thompson and Lance both have strong arms.

In fact, Thompson said that after pectoral surgery, his arm actually become stronger. It's sort of like those baseball pitchers who throw harder after a Tommy John surgery.

And Thompson and Lance can both beat you on scrambles. Could we see some Dolphins zone read?

Sure. Who says no?

The Skylar Thompson, Trey Lance comparison

"He's not going to be Lamar Jackson running it, but he has the ability to beat you with his feet," Klieman said of Thompson. "He's gonna take what the defense is gonna give him and whether that's the vertical passing game, the shorter passing game, the QB run, the biggest thing with him is 'How do I keep extending the drive?'"

Even with Tagovailoa under center, the Dolphins have averaged only 14 points over their last five games, dating back to last season, and including a playoff loss.

They're trying to figure out how to win when opponents limit big plays by playing defensive backs in deep center field.

The Dolphins obviously will miss Tagovailoa, a Pro Bowl starter.

But there may be some opportunity here for McDaniel to flex his creative muscle.

"He’s a little bit faster than Tua, so I’m a little bit excited about that," Tyreek Hill quipped this week. "Skylar, he does a great job of extending plays."

When Thompson was a sixth-year senior at Kansas State, he also battled to return from knee and ankle injuries.

There is a toughness instilled in Thompson, who has seemed to pull off surprises throughout his life.

Dolphins' Skylar Thompson has history of leading upsets

In 2019, Thompson led Kansas State to a 48-41 upset win over No. 5 Oklahoma.

Thompson rushed for four touchdowns.

And in 2020, Thompson led Kansas State to a 38-35 upset win over No. 3 Oklahoma.

Thompson passed for 334 yards and rushed for three touchdowns, as the Wildcats overcame a 35-14 deficit late in the third quarter.

Who is Skylar Thompson: Miami Dolphins backup QB for Tua Tagovailoa

Kansas State was a 28-point underdog entering that game.

The Dolphins are only 4.5-point underdogs headed to Seattle.

So it seems the sharps in Las Vegas think Miami has enough talent to compete with Skylar in the lineup for Tua.

Miami Dolphins roster: Key decision was keeping Skylar Thompson

"It’s not you versus the Seahawks," Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith said of a message for Skylar. "It’s the Miami Dolphins, it’s all of us."

Miami players and coaches have been unwavering in the suggestion Skylar gives them a chance.

"This is not his first rodeo," running back De'Von Achane said of Thompson.

"He’s not afraid of anything and he’s a real competitor," Tyreek Hill said. "I love that.”

Back in Manhattan, Kansas, Klieman wanted folks in South Florida to know a few things about Thompson: that nobody is going to prepare harder for practice or the game and that nobody is going to compete harder.

"I think he's gonna light it up," Klieman said. "I know he's ready for this moment."

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Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins' Skylar Thompson heads to Seattle in place of Tua Tagovailoa