Josh Rosen always has carried a chip on his shoulder.
Imagine the 22-year-old quarterback’s desire to prove critics wrong after the Arizona Cardinals traded him to the Miami Dolphins after one season.
“I don’t think my chip has got to grow anymore. I might tip over,” Rosen said with a laugh Monday.
Rosen spoke during an introductory news conference less than a week after the Dolphins acquired him for a pair of draft picks. The Cardinals shopped Rosen after selecting Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray with the No. 1 overall draft pick.
Only a year ago, Rosen was the Cardinals’ first-round pick, selected No. 10 overall out of UCLA.
“Very rarely do you get a second chance to make a first impression,” Rosen said. “It felt like I got drafted twice.”
Rosen will look to build upon a rookie season during which he passed for 2,278 yards, 11 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He is expected to compete with veteran signal-caller Ryan Fitzpatrick for playing time in Miami.
A fresh start offered plenty of reason for optimism, Rosen said. He was aware of critics who claimed he was a poor teammate and leader.
“I think I’m a really good teammate,” Rosen said. “What I’ve tried to do is not say or do anything extra, just kind of be me and keep my head down, and eventually the story will straighten out. I think it has for the most part. Time and consistency are the best medicine to cure the narrative.”
Here’s another narrative: A Dolphins quarterback has not been named to the Pro Bowl since Dan Marino in 1995.
“I’m aware of the situation,” Rosen said. “Hopefully I can follow in some semblance of his massive footsteps.”