Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is preparing for his fifth NFL season, where expectations remain high for him and his offense under head coach Mike McDaniel.
When McDaniel took over two seasons ago, he had nothing but positive words for Tagovailoa, the Dolphins' fifth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft despite a modest 13-8 record in his first two seasons.
But McDaniel believed in the left-handed quarterback, and after going 8-5 in his first season in 13 games as a starter, Tagovailoa had his best year (a full 17-game season) with an 11-6 record to make the playoffs.
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Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa redesigned the offense this offseason. (Susan Stocker/South Florida/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Tagovailoa, who made an appearance on the “Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz,” explained the confidence he has under McDaniel and, in the process, harshly criticized his former head coach Brian Flores.
“To put it in simpler terms, if you woke up every morning and I told you you suck at what you do, you shouldn't be doing what you do, you shouldn't be here, this guy should be here, you haven't earned this right, and then somebody else comes along and says, 'Man, you're the best at this. You're accurate. You're the best at whatever. You're this. You're that. ' How would you feel hearing one or the other? Do you understand what I'm saying?” Tagovailoa asked on the show.
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“And then you hear it and you hear it, no matter what it is, good or bad, and you hear it more and more, and you start to believe it. I don't care who you are. You could be the president of the United States. (If) you have a terrible person telling you things that you don't want to hear or that you probably shouldn't hear, you're going to start believing that about yourself. That's what ended up happening. It's basically been two years of training for that, not just for me, but for a couple of the guys that have been here from my rookie year until now.”
Tagovailoa's candid comments about Flores, the current Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator, are new, as he is criticizing his coaching style. However, looking at the circumstances Tagovailoa faced during his first two seasons, perhaps his point can be understood.
During those first two years, Tagvailoa relied on veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick in the quarterback room, and Flores would bring up the youngster in place of the veteran during his rookie campaign.
Head coach Brian Flores watches as Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins throws the ball during training camp at Baptist Health Training Complex on August 4, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
There was also speculation that the Dolphins would trade then-Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, who ultimately ended up with the Cleveland Browns.
But things changed when Flores was fired after the 2021 season, making way for McDaniel to lead the way the following season. Tagovailoa's improved performance came immediately, throwing for 3,548 yards with 25 touchdowns, though he had to miss four games due to concussions.
With this newfound confidence, Tagovailoa clearly has the confidence to talk about his past mental battles with his former coach.
The Dolphins also believe in Tagovailoa and last month offered him a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension to remain their signal-caller in South Beach.
In that first full season last year, Tagovailoa threw for a league-high 4,624 yards with 29 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Armed with speedy receivers and running backs everywhere, McDaniel’s scheme preaches precision and pace, something Tagovailoa has proven he can do no matter the opponent.
Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa harshly criticized his former head coach in Miami, Brian Flores (Getty Images)
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Now, the important thing is the Super Bowl playoff race, something he has yet to achieve. But Tagovailoa is confident, as is his head coach, that he can do it.
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