Tua Tagovailoa’s Future in Question After Benchings
In Miami Gardens, Florida, Tua Tagovailoa, the Dolphins’ quarterback, is grappling with uncertainty about his future. Recently, he was benched in favor of rookie Quinn Ewers after a tough game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tagovailoa expressed his disappointment.
“Disappointed,” he said. “It’s not something I can control.”
The decision followed a 28-15 loss against the Steelers that knocked Miami out of playoff contention. Tagovailoa struggled, throwing just 65 yards and leading the league with 15 interceptions this season. He signed a hefty four-year, $212.4 million contract last July, and many expected more from him.
Ewers, a seventh-round pick, will make his first start against the Cincinnati Bengals this Sunday. He previously played briefly in a game against the Browns but didn’t have much success. Still, he feels grateful for this opportunity.
“I know my younger self would be excited,” Ewers said, highlighting the dream of playing in the NFL.
Tagovailoa, who won a national championship in college at Alabama, was seen as the Dolphins’ savior. However, his journey has been rocky. In his first two seasons, he faced criticism and was benched multiple times. After the Dolphins fired coach Brian Flores, the team brought in Mike McDaniel, who has tried to build Tagovailoa’s confidence.
McDaniel stated, “My job is to help players perform better. When a change is necessary, I must act.” He’s focused on winning games and not shying away from tough decisions.
Despite early promise in 2023, Tagovailoa’s performance has declined. This season, he hasn’t thrown over 200 yards in eight of his starts. He admits, “I haven’t been performing at my best.”
The Dolphins face a dilemma. Keeping Tagovailoa next year could hit the salary cap hard, leading to almost $100 million in dead cap charges if they decide to release him. By comparison, the Denver Broncos faced a massive $85 million hit when they cut Russell Wilson in 2024.
Ewers, understanding the highs and lows of the game, sympathized with Tagovailoa. “I know how he feels,” he shared, reflecting on his own experiences.
As the Dolphins close out the season against the Buccaneers and the Patriots, fans and analysts wonder what lies ahead for Tagovailoa. Will he bounce back, or will this be the beginning of a new chapter for the Dolphins?
For more NFL news, check out AP Sports.
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