Through the first five games of the 2020 NFL season, former Alabama star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had yet to make his NFL debut. While his fellow rookie counterparts were taking over starting jobs at their respective NFL franchises, Tagovailoa, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, was planted firmly behind starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. And head coach Brian Flores didn’t appear to be changing his mind anytime soon.

But on Sunday, Tagovailoa finally made his way onto the field. While Miami was running out the clock on a 24-0 victory over the New York Jets, Tagovailoa finally got the first snap of his NFL career, finishing out the final 2:27 of the win.

The action lit up social media and had football fans excited. But perhaps nobody was more excited than Fitzpatrick. As was captured on video, Fitzpatrick appeared to be very excited for Tagovailoa to make his way onto the field for the first time.

Not only did Tagovailoa get to take some snaps, but he also got the opportunity to throw a few passes. Tagovailoa went 2-of-2 on Sunday night for nine yards, completing passes to Patrick Laird and Jakeem Grant. The Dolphins finished the game with a five-play, 19-yard drive behind Tagovailoa.

Some believed Tagovailoa could supplant Fitzpatrick as the Miami Dolphins starting quarterback by week one while others felt a pro “redshirt” year would be the best plan. For NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky, he said he wouldn’t want to throw Tagovailoa onto the field in 2020.

He explained that prior to the start of the season on NFL Live.

“Can we get the kid a year removed from injury,” Orlovksy said. “Second, they've got the worst offensive line in football. They start two rookies at offensive tackle. You guys want to put Tua out there when this team is not going to the playoffs, they're not a division champion, and we just want to rush him out there to get him reps?

“I do not want to subject him to the worst offensive line in football and two rookie tackles. If I'm the quarterback coach, I'm laying it on the table and saying no shot I'm letting this happen.”

Once he gets the chance to start, though, Tagovailoa could be the man that brings the Dolphins back to the top, based on what he accomplished in college. Tagovailoa helped the Crimson Tide win a national title as just a true freshman and then threw for almost 4,000 yards the following season, while also tossing 43 touchdowns. In nine games played in 2019, Tagovailoa had already thrown for 2,840 yards and 33 touchdowns for Alabama. His run with the Crimson Tide felt incredibly short but was one of the most memorable runs in school history.

247Sports’ Nick Kosko contributed to this story