As ESPN continues to release their rankings regarding all positions across the National Football League as voted on by NFL executives, coaches and scouts, the quarterbacks list was going to come out eventually.
The quarterback position is widely considered the most important position in all of sports, not just football, so it is easy to see why it is such a hot-button topic for fans across the league — but especially with fans of the Miami Dolphins and their quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa.
In 2024, following a stellar 2023 campaign that saw Tagovailoa throw for a league-leading 4,624 yards accompanied by 29 passing touchdowns, fans were surprised to see the former Alabama Crimson Tide product miss out on top-ten honors — instead coming in at #14 on ESPN’s list which placed him in the “honorable mentions” category.
After a frustrating 2024 season marred by multiple injuries (a common theme for Tagovailoa), Miami’s quarterback fell in ESPN’s rankings — coming in at #17 on the list, just barely cracking the “also receiving votes” section.
Tagovailoa ranks just behind elder statesman Aaron Rodgers of the Pittsburgh Steelers and just ahead of Bo Nix of the Denver Broncos who is coming off of an impressive rookie year.
As is always the case with the Dolphins passer, health (or the lack-thereof) will be the biggest reason why Tagovailoa doesn’t get the same respect as most of his peers. When healthy, the 27-year-old puts up high-end numbers while leading Miami to more wins than losses — but when he misses time (which happens quite often), the Dolphins can’t make up for his absence and suffer losses at an alarming rate because of his fragility.
This offseason, the team and the quarterback alike have discussed Tagovailoa’s goal to place an increased importance on his health. Let’s see if that goal can become more than words when the Dolphins hit the field for meaningful football games in roughly two months time.
