DAVIE, Fla. -- It's Josh Rosen time in Miami.
Dolphins coach Brian Flores has made a quarterback switch ahead of Sunday's game at the Dallas Cowboys, naming Rosen his starter, he announced Friday. The move sends veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick, who started the team's first two games, to the bench.
"We felt like it was the right move for the team," Flores said. "With Josh, his development is very important to me. I never wanted to throw him in there too quickly, but I do think he's ready. He's shown me that he's ready to go."
Rosen will be the 21st quarterback to start for the Dolphins since Dan Marino retired in 2000. Only the Cleveland Browns (29) and Chicago Bears (23) have had more quarterbacks start for them during that span.
Flores said he told both quarterbacks of his decision Thursday afternoon and that Fitzpatrick was disappointed to hear the news but shortly after took Rosen to the whiteboard to work on the game plan.
"A lot of guys would be angry. Here's a guy who's so selfless, and his willingness to put the team first, I'm really impressed by that," Flores said.
The Dolphins have also claimed defensive end Taco Charlton off waivers from the Cowboys.
Charlton, a first-round pick by the Cowboys in 2017, was waived by Dallas on Wednesday after asking for a trade or his release. Miami's claim of Charlton saves Dallas from having to pay $1.6 million in guaranteed base salary in 2019 and 2020.
Flores said Charlton wants to play Sunday but noted it would be a "tough thing to do" given that he has had only one practice with the Dolphins.
The Rosen and Charlton moves fall in line with the Dolphins' plans to collect lower-priced assets to evaluate whether they can play a long-term role for the team as it rebuilds.
Rosen split starter reps with Fitzpatrick this week in practice. He also appeared in garbage time in both of the Dolphins' blowout losses to start the season, completing just 38.1% of his pass attempts (8-of-21) for 102 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions.
Nothing is more important for the Dolphins over the next 7½ months than figuring out their long-term quarterback plan. Rosen, despite extremely tough circumstances, now has a chance to make a case to the coaching staff and front office that he can be the answer.
Rosen, 22, has received praise from the Miami coaching staff for the way he has performed in practice over the past few weeks as a backup. His biggest hindrance was unfamiliarity with the offense, and he appears to have closed the gap in that area.
"Obviously right now we need a spark. I'm going to try to provide that spark," Rosen said Friday. "... I like to think I'm a pretty aggressive player. We have really good athletes on our team, and I'm going to try to let them be the ballers that they are."
Massive struggles from the NFL's worst-ranked offense and four interceptions (including two pick-sixes) from Fitzpatrick helped make the decision easier for Miami. It's a youth movement for the Dolphins, and now the changes include the quarterback.
A 2018 first-round pick, Rosen was traded from Arizona to Miami during 2019 draft weekend for a late second-round pick and 2020 fifth-round pick after the Cardinals selected Kyler Murray at No. 1.
Rosen went 3-10 in 13 starts for Arizona last season, completing 55% of his passes for 2,278 yards and 11 touchdowns with 14 interceptions. He played behind a struggling offensive line and a one-and-done coaching staff. The circumstances with Miami's offensive talent after the ongoing roster teardown won't be much better.
Rosen said during the spring that he hoped Miami would give him a "second chance to make a first impression." He has that chance now.
Charlton has four career sacks in 27 games (seven starts), but he couldn't find a role in Dallas' defensive line rotation this season, leaving him inactive for the first two games. He was waived to make room for defensive end Robert Quinn, who was activated after a two-game suspension. After picking up Charlton, Miami waived offensive lineman Bryan Witzmann in a corresponding move.
The Dolphins also claimed defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche, a 2016 first-round pick cut by Arizona this summer, as a reclamation project. He is on the physically unable to perform list as he recovers from ACL surgery.
The moves -- particularly the quarterback change -- bring a burst of energy for a Dolphins team that has been outscored 102-10 over the first two weeks.