Matt Moore has been a career NFL backup since he initially entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2007 with the Dallas Cowboys.
He's had moments of success - like when he led the Carolina Panthers to an upset win over the Minnesota Vikings in December of 2009, completing 21 of 33 passes for 299 yards and 3 touchdowns - and he's had moments of failure, like when he was named the Panthers starter going into the 2010 season only to lose the job 2 weeks later after a concussion and 4 interceptions.
So, besides those short stints as the starter for the Panthers in 2009 and 2010, he's mostly been able to collect an NFL paycheck as a reserve.
Now a member of the Miami Dolphins, that may change, albeit, again, probably only on a temporary basis.
After the Dolphins lost to the Kansas City Chiefs yesterday 34-15, moving them to 1-2 after an initial week one surprise defeat of the New England Patriots, head coach Joe Philbin would not publicly commit to incumbent starter Ryan Tannehill as his quarterback moving forward.
According to the Palm Beach Post, "Philbin said repeatedly at today's press conference he will bring the best 46 players to London to play the Raiders."
Moore's chances of suiting up have increased considerably, since Tannehill has played so poorly this point, with additional reports that he doesn't trust the offensive line in front of him.
Asked specifically whether or not Ryan Tannehill was his starter, Philbin replied, "We'll decide our game plan before we leave to play Oakland."
Tannehill was the 8th overall pick out of Texas A&M in the 2012 draft and after initially defeating Moore and David Garrard in a quarterback competition that year, was named and has remained the unquestioned starter in Miami.
Until now.
After Tannehill struggled through two games and amassed one of the lowest quarterback ratings in the league, Philbin has chosen not to offer him his complete support.
When pressed on whether or not Tannehill and Moore would split reps as the starter this week, Philbin declined to give a concrete answer.
"We'll utilize the players the best way we see fit."
Not exactly a ringing endorsement for your previously entrenched starter. But it may be a cracked door for a potential Matt Moore move into the number one spot.
With the Dolphins set to square off with the Oakland Raiders in London this weekend, this is a situation that bears watching.
