Tua Tagovailoa simply does not care about the narratives that he’s only elite when Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are in the game. Other narratives, including this one from Cam Newton, paint the picture that Tagovailoa is simply a game manager.
When asked about this on Wednesday Tagovailoa started his answer off in a sarcastic tone, blasting those who think he cares about his individual performance with and without certain players:
“I keep receipts, we all have a way of how we do things,” Tua Tagovailoa said Wednesday. “All the narratives about it…. sure, I am only good with Tyreek in, you’re right. That is the only time I am at my best. You’re right, I am only good when Jaylen’s in, I could care less about it. Sure, if Jaylen and those guys are out, I’m only as good as Raheem Mostert allows me to be. That’s what the narrative needs to be, and we’re able to win games and we’re able to go where we want to go as a team.’
Tagovailoa continued:
“I am the worst football player if that’s what you want… I’m just here to do my job, and my job is to help our guys win games.”
Tua Tagovailoa: “I keep receipts.”
Dolphins QB responds to the narrative that he only plays well when Tyreek Hill is in the lineup with him.
“Yeah, sure. I am only good with Tyreek in,” he said sarcastically in an impassioned answer. pic.twitter.com/zeouf06gPM
— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) December 20, 2023
The Dolphins might see a case of Salty Tua this weekend as they take on the Dallas Cowboys.
Tua Tagovailoa And The Dolphins Are Winning Football Games. That’s All That Matters.
Ultimately, the goal of any competition is to win. That’s the crux of Tua Tagovailoa’s argument here.
And if you look at the numbers, he’s done a good job in that regard. The Dolphins are 10-4 on the season and have won 4 of their last 5. There’s something to be said about the strength of competition, but Tagovailoa and the Dolphins have a chance to put that narrative to bed in the coming weeks as they prepare to face Dallas, Baltimore and Buffalo.
Entering Week 16 Tagovailoa leads the league in passing with 3,921 yards and 25 touchdowns, which is tied for 5th in the NFL. So far, Tagovailoa has less interceptions than anyone else with at least 25 touchdown passes except Brock Purdy and Dak Prescott.