The way forward for Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was up within the air lengthy earlier than he was benched in favor of rookie Quinn Ewers late this season and earlier than Dolphins proprietor Stephen Ross relieved head coach Mike McDaniel of his duties earlier in January.
On Thursday, the Dolphins held an introductory information convention for brand spanking new normal supervisor Jon-Eric Sullivan and new head coach Jeff Hafley. Understandably, Sullivan was requested how he would deal with the Tagovailoa-sized elephant hovering over the Dolphins.
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“Clearly that is an enormous query,” Sullivan responded, per Adam Stites of Dolphins Wire/USA In the present day. “I’ve a variety of respect for Tua. He is soccer participant. He is completed so much on this league. I feel whether or not it is Tua or anybody else, it is unfair and irresponsible for me to take a seat up right here and speak about something particular with out speaking to the participant themselves.”
Tagovailoa’s well-known harm historical past and his on-the-field struggles this season have left many questioning if any crew will hand him a QB1 job later this yr. He famously suffered a minimal of three reported concussions from the beginning of the 2022 season by way of the tip of the 2024 marketing campaign, and he missed the ultimate two video games of the 2024 season attributable to a hip harm. In line with the StatMuse website, Tagovailoa completed the 2025 common season with the third-most turnovers (16) within the NFL, though he appeared in solely 14 contests.
“Quarterback is crucial place in sports activities,” Sullivan continued. “…We’ll do what’s greatest for this soccer crew. To sit down up right here and let you know I’ve an important understanding of what we’ll do or which means we’ll go, that may be a lie. There’s simply an excessive amount of work to do, too many conversations available at this level.”
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Historical past means that Sullivan merely cannot depend on Tagovailoa to both play at a top-tier degree for greater than a one-off season or keep wholesome for 17 consecutive video games. Sullivan did not blame Tagovailoa for the bodily points the 27-year-old has handled as a professional, however the government additionally admitted that it is essential he builds a roster that may preserve a first-choice signal-caller within the lineup.
“We have all seen groups go about it in a questionable method the place they get a very good participant at quarterback, however he cannot keep wholesome as a result of he is getting killed, and he does not have anybody to throw to,” Sullivan added throughout his feedback. “So sure, we are going to discover our man, however we’ll ensure we’re constructing our infrastructure alongside the best way so after we do discover our triggerman, whoever that could be, whether or not it is Tua, Quinn or anyone not within the constructing, they’ve a crew they’ll play and win with.”
Tagovailoa is open to a “fresh start” elsewhere, however that begin theoretically may contain embracing a relationship with a special Dolphins teaching employees. If such a begin goes poorly, nevertheless, it might be the final time that any crew takes an opportunity on Tagovailoa as something apart from a backup possibility.
