DOLPHINS ON THE RADAR: Dolphins GM Sends Blunt 5-Word Message to Tua Tagovailoa About Future…
The end of every NFL season brings reflection and analysis of the year’s events, and the Miami Dolphins’ 2023 season is no exception. While the Dolphins’ season didn’t quite conclude the way they hoped, given their disappointing 2-6 start, they managed to mount an impressive comeback. They fought hard, staying in playoff contention until the final week of the season.
Ultimately, the Dolphins’ playoff hopes were dashed. The Denver Broncos dominated the Kansas City Chiefs’ backups with a 38-0 victory, and the New York Jets defeated Miami 32-20, leaving Miami with a final 8-9 record. Despite not making the postseason, Miami’s head coach, Mike McDaniel, managed to keep his job, which can be seen as a silver lining for the organization.
One of the most pressing concerns for the Dolphins this season, however, was the health of their starting quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa. The 2023 season saw him sign a major contract extension—four years worth $214 million, with an average annual salary of $53.5 million. However, Tagovailoa’s availability was a major issue. He played in just 11 games during the season, missing a significant portion of it due to a concussion he sustained in a Week 2 game against the Buffalo Bills. This was his third concussion in just four years.
Tagovailoa’s injury history has been a source of frustration and concern throughout his career. In each of his first four seasons in the NFL, he missed at least four games, except for 2023, when the team finished with an 11-6 record. The cumulative effect of his injuries over the years has been significant, with the former Alabama quarterback missing 20 games across his five seasons in the league.
As the Dolphins’ general manager, Chris Grier, acknowledged in a press conference, the issue of Tagovailoa’s availability remains paramount. Grier made it clear that the quarterback must find ways to stay healthy and protect himself from further injuries. “He needs to be available. He needs to know how to protect himself … He understands that not being available after taking chances is not acceptable to us,” Grier stated. His remarks highlighted the frustration that has been building within the organization due to Tagovailoa’s inability to stay on the field, especially after incidents like the one in Week 2 against the Bills.
In that game, Tagovailoa appeared to dive headfirst into a tackle from Buffalo’s safety Damar Hamlin, who, ironically, had himself been the subject of one of the most horrifying injuries in recent NFL history when he collapsed on the field in 2022. After this particular collision, Tagovailoa was carted off the field and didn’t return until Week 8, missing several games in between. In his return game against the Arizona Cardinals, Miami lost 28-27 in a close and hard-fought battle. The situation wasn’t unique for Tagovailoa, as he had previously sustained two serious concussions in a span of five days in 2022, which led to discussions about whether he should consider retirement. Those questions resurfaced following his latest injury.
It’s important to note that injuries like concussions are difficult to control, and it’s impossible to assign blame to a player for such incidents. However, Grier’s frustration stems from the fact that Tagovailoa appeared to put himself in vulnerable situations on the field, particularly in the game against the Bills. Given his prior history of injuries, it seemed reckless for him to take such risks without considering the long-term consequences on his health and availability.
When Tagovailoa is healthy, he has proven to be an effective and capable starting quarterback for the Dolphins. In his regular season career, he boasts an impressive 38-24 record, a passer rating of 97.9, and a touchdown-to-interception ratio of better than 2:1 (100 touchdowns to 44 interceptions). Despite some critics who point to physical and technical limitations in his game, these statistics show that when he is on the field, he can lead his team to victories.
However, as much as Tagovailoa has been able to perform well when healthy, the Dolphins’ roster is not constructed in a way that can sustain prolonged periods without their starting quarterback. The team simply cannot afford to be without its top signal-caller for extended stretches of the season. The Dolphins’ ability to compete at a high level depends largely on the health and availability of Tagovailoa, which has been a major concern for both the team and its fans.
In conclusion, while the Miami Dolphins’ 2023 season ultimately didn’t end with a playoff berth, the team showed resilience and determination in overcoming early struggles. Still, the biggest question facing the franchise moving forward is the health of Tua Tagovailoa. His ability to stay on the field will be crucial for the Dolphins’ success in the future. General manager Chris Grier has made it clear that the team expects its franchise quarterback to prioritize his health and to take steps to protect himself. With the right improvements to his availability and health, Tagovailoa can continue to lead the Dolphins to success. However, if these issues persist, the future of both the quarterback and the team could be in jeopardy.
