In the end, all the jokes about how much Joe Philbin loved Pat Devlin and how players viewed Devlin as the coach's adopted son matter little because the Dolphins are moving on from their fourth-year quarterback.

The team which signed Brady Quinn Monday evening made room for the new backup quarterback by releasing their third-stringer of the past three seasons.

Devlin's release was first reported by FoxSports1's Mike Garafolo.

And it wasn't so much Devlin's inability to mount a challenge for the No. 2 quarterback job that doomed him with the Dolphins but rather his inability to get on the field. Devlin had not practiced since the Aug. 2 scrimmage in which he injured a hamstring.

Marginal player. Not practicing for 10 days.

Bad things, man.

"I think he's definitely developed," Philbin said of Devlin. "I like his play speed. That's one of the great strengths that I think he has. He plays the game fast, he's decisive when he's back there. But again, let's call it what it is, and he has to come out there on a more consistent basis to get a good, thorough evaluation."

There had been rumors that the Monday quarterback tryouts the Dolphins staged could affect Moore's status as the No. 2. The thinking was Moore is costing $5.5 million against the cap this year and cutting or trading him would save $4 million.

Not likely to happen.

The tryouts were to replace Devlin.

Brady Quinn is an experienced veteran but he's not likely to displace Moore -- barring a total collapse by Moore the remainder of the preseason.

Matt Moore is the Dolphins' No. 2 quarterback unless something significant changes. Signing Brady Quinn and cutting Pat Devlin was not that something.