Tua Tagovailoa, the Miami Dolphins quarterback, is facing a little scrutiny lately. Some have been unimpressed with the native Hawaiian and the performance he gave over the last two years. Has the quarterback from Alabama that was the No. 5 overall for the 2020 NFL draft lost his sparkle? It seems like Tagovailoa was all the rage only a couple of years ago. Becoming a household name, Tagovailoa charmed fans with his efforts that led Alabama to victory in the College Football Playoff National Championship in 2018. Tagovailoa was fully expected to do big things in the NFL and was even the third most popular player for NFL merchandise in 2020. Let’s break down the events leading to what some consider a desperate need to excel in the upcoming season.
Breaking Bones and Confidence
Tagovailoa played his last game with the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2019, cutting the season short after a hip injury. This injury was not an isolated incident, as there has been a thumb injury, rib fractures, and a middle finger fracture in Tua’s career, not including injuries before 2019. Draft Sharks even give him a 73% chance of injury during the 2022 season. Although putting Tua’s durability into question, this on its own is obviously not enough to cause all the doubt in Tagovailoa.
Other Things to Blame
It’s not totally fair to blame Tagovailoa’s shortcomings all on him. We could consider the bad coaching and other players that made his job somewhat difficult, but we can’t ignore the fact that he was still a No. 5 pick with a high anticipation of excellency. Regardless of what factors there are to consider, some think that this is Tua’s last season to prove himself in the NFL.
Underthrowing Sparks Controversy
Posted by the Miami Dolphins themselves, the video of Tagovailoa underthrowing Tyreek Hill back in May sparked some conversation. Hill commented on this saying that the post was a ploy for attention and that there is no question in the Dolphin’s belief in Tagovailoa’s capabilities. In Tyreek Hill’s recent podcast, he defends Tagovailoa and says he is more accurate than Patrick Mahomes. This comparison is not too far-fetched, as Tagovailoa and Mahomes share an average of completed passes at about 66%. Hill thinks that people will regret doubting Tua, although notes that this is likely the last year to prove himself. Even Jaylen Waddle chimes in to support Tagovailoa, saying that he is “looking scary” in his offseason.
To Doubt or Not to Doubt
Considering all the above information and the fact that Mike McDaniel is hopeful as the new coach of the Miami Dolphins, it will be an interesting watch to see if Tua Tagovailoa can live up to the expectations that have been hanging over him since 2020. What we do know for sure is that he has the support of teammate Tyreek Hill and new coach that hopes he can bring Tagovailoa to his greatest potential.