Now that the Miami Dolphins have hired a new general manager and head coach, it’s time to figure out what to do with Tua Tagovailoa.
Should he stay or should he go? It’s really not up to him, but the team’s new decision-makers surely have a plan in place. Soon enough, that plan will begin to take shape.
In the meantime, we’re left to speculate on what could be and how Tagovailoa went from being an established franchise quarterback to one without a defined future. As GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley become more comfortable in the building, we’d imagine they’ll speak with several key members of the team. They may even seek out some inside intel on Tagovailoa.
If so, they may want to speak with players like Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller. The upcoming free agent sure has an interesting theory on Tagovailoa. He shared some of his thoughts during a recent appearance on Johnny Manziel’s podcast, including a belief that the Dolphins’ QB suffers from past injury trauma.
“I’m watching this man throw darts every practice,” Waller said. “It was just like, ‘What the f— am I watching?’ I had never seen the anticipation and the accuracy out there. From my standpoint, the skill set for him is still there,” Waller said. “What I think some of the disconnect comes from, seeing it translate, I think there could be some trauma still stored in his body from what he’s gone through with the head injuries.”
Tagovailoa’s concussions have been well documented. Three of the four known concussions he’s sustained have happened since arriving as the fifth overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. The other came while in college at Alabama.
Throughout it all, some wonder whether Tagovailoa should even still be playing football at all, placing his safety above all else.
Yet, Waller wasn’t trying to tear down his teammate. He still believes in Tagovailoa’s skillset, if he can get back to top form.
“I can notice him trying to make things happen in the game, he’s trying to pull the trigger, but it’s like his body, his system, won’t let him do it,” he said. “I think if there’s a way for him to find some healing in that regard, I think the skill set is still there.
It’s clear that Tagovailoa has to head back to the drawing board this offseason after tossing a career-high 15 interceptions. Maybe the new coaching staff can help him get back to being a Pro Bowl quarterback. If not, the Dolphins may feel more inclined to try moving on, but being that Tagovailoa’s $54 million salary for 2026 is fully guaranteed, he could be sticking around in Miami for at least one more season.
Related: Tua Tagovailoa Sounds Excited to Leave Miami Dolphins
