In the waning days before the NFL’s final week of preseason, the gridiron news cycle can often sputter. However, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa notably turned heads on Monday.
Talented as he is, it was not Tagovailoa’s on-field play that grabbed headlines most recently, but a candid interview on The Dan Le Batard Show that aired on August 19th. Incidentally, the former Alabama Crimson Tide star gushed transparent feelings on the head coaches he’s had since entering the NFL.
For context, Tagovailoa is coming off his fourth professional campaign — one wherein he paced the league with 4,624 total passing yards. Selected by the Dolphins, he was originally the fifth overall pick at the 2020 NFL draft after an illustrious collegiate career in Tuscaloosa. Still, his time in the NFL has been bisected and paradoxical.
When Tagovailoa was initially drafted to the pros, defensive-minded Brian Flores was the Dolphins’ head coach. Of course, Flores’ time in Miami would end less than two years later (and in tumultuous fashion). Throughout the couple seasons that Tagovailoa and Flores were able to work together in South Florida, the results were mediocre — Tagovailoa compiled 27 touchdowns over 23 total games played with no playoff appearances.
Upon firing Flores after 2021, the Dolphins brought in the ever-jovial offensive-minded Mike McDaniel. In McDaniel’s two seasons at the helm, Miami and Tagovailoa have thrived. Tua dazzled to a career year in 2023, setting seasonal pinnacles for himself in passing yards, touchdowns (29) and completion percentage (69.3).
As if improved statistics weren’t enough, Tagovailoa recently enlightened Miami-based journalist Dan Le Batard and guests to his personal experience —and the incurred differences — with Flores and McDaniel.
Le Batard’s interview with Tua begins softly before the veteran beat writer inquires on the varying support the quarterback received, more specifically, how it differed from McDaniel to Flores. Notably, Tagovailoa has been and is still vocal about his positive relationship with current HC McDaniel. As for his personal dynamic with Flores, Tagovailoa made his feelings apparent.
“If you woke up every morning and I told you that you suck at what you did, that you don’t belong, that you shouldn’t be here, that you haven’t earned this… and then someone come and tells you, ‘You are the best fit for this…How you that make you feel?”
Flores, who is now the Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator under HC Kevin O’Connell, has refrained from any response so far. Of course, Flores is regarded as a no-nonsense personality, which is needed for certain aspects of the NFL.
However, Flores is known for speaking his mind. After being relieved of his duties in Miami, Flores notably filed a racial discrimination class-action lawsuit against the NFL and several of its franchises in February 2022; A federal judge in New York kept the case from going to trial in March 2023.
It is unlikely that we’ve heard the last of this saga between Tagovailoa and his former coach — both men are prevalent figures around the league. Still, playing in opposite conferences, the two won’t see each other this upcoming season unless the Dolphins and Vikings happen to meet in Super Bowl LIX (making for a 1974 title game rematch). Wow. Could you imagine?
If you were wondering, DraftKings Sportsbook currently lists the Dolphins with +2200 odds to win Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. Miami’s regular season commences at home on Sunday, September 8th as three-point favorite versus the in-state rival Jacksonville Jaguars. Like Tua for AP NFL MVP this year? DraftKings gives Tagovailoa a 25-to-1 shot in that market.