The NFL world has been closely following the intensifying drama between Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and his former head coach Brian Flores. Already generating significant buzz, Tagovailoa's recent public criticism of Flores has added more fuel to the fire.
The Backdrop
Tua Tagovailoa, selected fifth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins, brought hope and excitement to the franchise. However, whispers circulated that Flores favored Justin Herbert, who went to the Los Angeles Chargers. Despite these rumors, Dolphins GM Chris Grier made the call to draft Tagovailoa.
Tagovailoa's professional journey began modestly. He got his first taste of NFL action in Week 6 against the New York Jets and started by Week 8 against the Los Angeles Rams. However, Flores substituted veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick for Tagovailoa during crucial moments in games against the Denver Broncos and the Las Vegas Raiders later that season, leaving the young quarterback's confidence visibly shaken.
Behind the Controversy
The situation reached a tipping point when Tagovailoa openly criticized Flores, saying, “To put it in the simplest terms, if you woke up every morning and I told you that you suck at what you did, that you don't belong doing what you do, that you shouldn't be here, that this guy should be here, that you haven't earned this. And then you have somebody else come in and tell you, 'Dude, you are the best fit for this. You're accurate. You're the best whatever, you're this, you're that.' How would it make you feel listening to one or the other?”
Flores, now a linebackers coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers, responded thoughtfully. “Look, I'm human. So that hit me in a way that wasn't positive for me. But at the same time, I've got to use that and say, 'Hey, how can I grow from that? How can I be better?' And that's really where I'm at from that standpoint. Do I feel like that's me? No. But how can I grow from that situation and create a world where that's not the case that anyone says that about Brian Flores?”
A New Chapter
The 2021 season added another layer to the turmoil as the Dolphins reportedly explored trading for Deshaun Watson. Ultimately, the season ended with a 9-8 record and Flores's tenure with the Dolphins was concluded in January 2022. Mike McDaniel was appointed as the new head coach, aiming to foster a more supportive environment for Tagovailoa.
McDaniel's initial interactions with Tagovailoa were promising. “We're gonna have an extensive professional relationship, my man. One thing I know about you is, you have the ambition to be great. My job is to coach you to get all that greatness out of you… This is an awesome day for me, and I'm damn sure gonna make sure that when you look back on this day, you're gonna be like, 'Damn, that was one of the best days of my career, too.' But I'll earn that from you, you got me?” Tagovailoa embraced the fresh start, expressing that the locker room felt different.
Remarkable Turnaround
The shift in coaching dynamics seemed to pay off. Under McDaniel's guidance, Tagovailoa led the NFL in passer rating in 2022 and accumulated the most passing yards in 2023. His performance earned him his first Pro Bowl nod, a significant milestone in any player's career. Speaking about the transformative experience, Tagovailoa reflected, “I just feel like there are so many things that have happened. There are a lot of changes, and a lot of good changes, I guess, with the people that we've picked up and the guys that we've acquired as well. The locker room feels different.”
Support and Growth
Support from the head coach, according to Tagovailoa, played a crucial role in his development. “I think support for any of us as players means a lot. We understand that the NFL is a tough industry. It's tough to play because you're playing against the best every Sunday. But to be able to have support of the head coach, the head guy, that should tell you a lot.”
The evolving relationship between Tua Tagovailoa and the coaching staff paints a broader picture of challenges and rebounds in the highly scrutinized world of professional football. With his recent successes, Tagovailoa appears to be firmly closing one chapter and embarking on another, more promising one.