The Miami Dolphins have numerous necessary selections to make this offseason, however one resolution that seems to have already been made is whether or not or to not pay quarterback Tua Tagovailoa a monster deal — and rightfully so.
In spite of everything, it’s been over twenty years for the reason that Dolphins have had a participant as gifted as Tagovailoa taking part in behind middle. The previous Fifth-overall decide within the 2020 NFL Draft is coming off his first full season, one wherein he led the league in passing yards with 4,624 yards. He completed the yr with a 101.1 passer ranking and a 29/14 landing to interception radio.
Was this season excellent? Completely not.
However regardless of how disappointing the yr ended, with the crew as soon as once more failing to point out up in late December and early January, the Dolphins have their franchise quarterback. And that’s not coming from me or the man making your sandwiches at Publix. No. Anybody with two eyes and two ears can see/hear that this crew is constructing the roster round Tua and that each Grier and McDaniel foresee him as their quarterback of the longer term — no matter the way you or anybody else feels about his inevitable big-money extension.
On January fifteenth, Chris Grier was requested in regards to the significance of getting a brand new deal completed with Tagovailoa. Right here’s what Miami’s common supervisor needed to say about Tua’s contract extension and their progress all through the season.
“We’ve had conversations…by no means speaking about cash or something, simply good conversations about the place he’s and the connection with Mike (McDaniel) and the crew right here and every thing he’s completed. So the purpose is to have him right here long run taking part in at a excessive stage. That’s all the time the purpose and we’ll proceed to speak with him via the offseason right here. Like we’ve all the time mentioned previously, you guys know me, we don’t actually speak within the media via all that stuff, so we’ll simply hold all these talks inner and together with his reps.”
This week, head coach Mike McDaniel had his likelihood to reply a barrage of questions. Right here’s what Miami’s head coach mentioned when requested about Tagovailoa on the 2024 NFL Scouting Mix.
“Completely….I’m very inspired. Each Tua’s illustration and our group are onerous at work. These timelines are unimaginable to foretell and my foremost concern this offseason has been speaking what Tua wants from his head coach and his offensive teaching workers, which is what issues can we establish to proceed the development of your sport the identical method that we have now since day one?
McDaniel continued:
“My perception has all the time been sturdy from day one in Tua. It’s stronger than it was the primary day I met him and that’s due to that relationship, the place I’m targeted, which is continuous to supply the teaching so he can proceed to evolve his sport as he has for the reason that second that I began speaking to him.”
tua vs. KC | #finsup
20 of 39 for 199 yards (51.3%), 1 TD, & 1 INT
grier on tua long-term contract:
“purpose is to have him right here long run taking part in at a excessive stage…we’ll proceed to speak w/ him via the offszn…every thing shall be productive & we’ll see what occurs” pic.twitter.com/uGzxtIp1ck
— josh houtz (@houtz) January 18, 2024
Final season was Tagovailoa’s most profitable season of his profession, and in McDaniel’s opinion, it had every thing to do with the extra reps he bought in Miami’s offense. #LetTuaCook
“Reps. He had extra reps than he’s ever had in his profession as a result of he performed the total season. That was one thing that in soccer, there are numerous issues that may occur. There are additionally numerous issues you may management. I believe top-of-the-line examples of taking management of your profession is what Tua was in a position to do via coaching and having the ability to expertise all of the various things – I imply shoot, expertise a playoff sport for the primary time in his profession. That was afforded to him as a result of he was in a position to lead the crew week in and week out. These are issues that weren’t essentially assumed he was able to doing, however like most issues Tua has completed in his profession, he’s acknowledged that and proved doubters incorrect.”
And nonetheless, regardless of all of that, I get why some may be reluctant. As one of many authentic #TankForTua disciples, I’ve typically watched via aqua and orange-tinted glasses. However I’ll be the primary one to confess, it hasn’t been excellent for Tua — who, regardless of his stellar efficiency all through the common season — all the time appears to fall quick when Miami wants him to play at his largest.
And that’s why there’s even a little bit of hesitation by some all through the fanbase, proper?
It’s not as a result of he hasn’t performed at an #elite stage when he’s wholesome — as a result of he has. It has nothing to do with the development he’s made or the event we’ve seen during the last 4 seasons — as a result of there’s been loads of that.
What all of it comes all the way down to is whether or not or not Tagovailoa can go toe-to-toe with the highest quarterbacks within the NFL — lots of whom reside within the AFC. Sure, we’ve seen Tua trade touchdowns with Patrick Mahomes. We’ve seen his crew come out on prime vs. Justin Herbert and Lamar Jackson. Invoice Belichick — the as soon as unstoppable drive for rookie quarterbacks — by no means beat a Tua-led crew. We’ve seen all of it. However one factor we have now not seen in over 20+ years is a playoff victory. And till the Dolphins discover a method to do the seemingly unthinkable, some on this fanbase will stay skeptical.
Right here’s a take a look at Spotrac’s projected contract for Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa.
There’s nonetheless some within the fanbase that shall be sad it doesn’t matter what the numbers seem like. However as somebody who as soon as advised you that he nonetheless believed in Tua Tagovailoa, and it’s best to too — I’m asking you as soon as once more to do the identical.
We all know the place Tua wants to enhance, and most significantly, he is aware of the place he wants to enhance. And though some might wish to discover an growing old veteran or an unproven rookie to take his spot, let’s face it: this offense is constructed round Tua Tagovailoa. And after this extension is signed, McDaniel and Grier shall be tied to the person I as soon as referred to as The Left Arm of God.
It’s sink or swim for the Dolphins. However for Tagovailoa, when all is alleged and completed, he’ll be swimming like Scrooge McDuck — into a giant fats pile of cash — as one of many NFL’s subsequent big-money quarterbacks.
What are your ideas on Tua Tagovailoa? Do you assume he deserves a long-term take care of the Dolphins? The place does he rank among the many NFL’s prime quarterbacks? Tell us within the feedback part beneath!
