What a difference a week makes for Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins. He has rightfully been benched after a long history of lackluster performances this year. Tagovailoa’s passing yards skyrocketed last season, as he led the NFL with a whopping 4,624 yards. His 2024 campaign has been marred by inconsistency, highlighted by a downright worrisome 15 picks in only 14 games. This awkward circumstance has already created quite the debate between NFL front office professionals. Scouts aren’t the only ones betting big on the future of the player and the franchise.
The Dolphins are focused on building momentum into next season. Important choices loom for them, such as finding a new general manager with an eye towards next offseason at the latest. The team will likely have the 10th overall pick in the April draft. That places them in an enviable position of being able to go after one of the best QBs on the market. The stakes have never been higher, as the franchise decides whether to move forward with Tagovailoa or go in a different direction.
The Bench and Its Implications
This moment is something of a crossroads in Tagovailoa’s young career. Overreaction or not, this decision does not inspire confidence that he can still be a high-level competitor. Observers have noted that he has not exhibited the same agility and explosiveness that characterized his earlier performances. One veteran NFL scout commented, “He wasn’t as twitchy or explosive as he was a year and a half ago.” This lack of mobility has played a big role in his struggles creating separation and decision-making on the field.
Tagovailoa’s issues have raised legitimate concerns over his long-term sustainability as a starting NFL signal-caller. An NFL defensive coach expressed concern about Tagovailoa’s performance: “I saw a quarterback who couldn’t play football after his first read. And then he was on the pick six train damn near every week. These criticisms bring to light the need for the Dolphins to reassess the path ahead of them.
The implications of Tagovailoa’s concussive benching go beyond mere player performance. His contract situation complicates matters further. If the Dolphins just cut him with no designation, they would have a mind-boggling $99.2 million in dead cap this year. Or, if the team releases him with a post-June 1 designation, the team can push the financial pain into two years. That said, they’ll nonetheless take a major hit of $67.4 million in 2026.
Evaluating Future Options
As the Dolphins consider where they go from here, there are a chorus of dissenting voices in the league calling for a shake-up. An NFC scout stated, “If they keep Tua, they need to get real competition for him. Maybe that will bring the best out of him.” This sentiment reflects a growing belief that Tagovailoa may no longer be the best fit for the Dolphins’ offense, which relies heavily on quick decision-making and mobility.
A high-ranking personnel evaluator offered a more critical assessment: “The play hasn’t been good enough and you can’t trust him to stay healthy. If you’re playing in a warm climate or indoors and you have an offense with elements of a quick passing game and play-action, you can make it work for a year.” Our analysis focuses on the tactical factors that Miami will need to consider as they take stock of the candidates.
Similarly, any decision-making process within the Dolphins’ front office will need to include a serious look at the team’s existing coaching staff. If they remain patient with their young head coach Mike McDaniel, big things will happen. Others still regard him among the best offensive minds in the league, so giving him a young QB to mold would be a great investment. An NFC executive noted, “If you still believe in McDaniel, which it seems like [Miami] might, then give him a new quarterback to work with.”
The Road Ahead
As Miami navigates this pivotal period, owner Stephen Ross faces critical decisions regarding the direction of the franchise. The real question is whether all of this is okay the way it is, or not radical enough. A personnel executive suggested following the Broncos’ blueprint with Russell Wilson, advocating for a decisive break: “They should follow the Broncos’ blueprint with Russell Wilson and just rip the Band-Aid off.”
The Dolphins must also consider how Tagovailoa’s situation affects team morale and performance as they aim to conclude this season positively. What comes next for them Their efforts depend on finding clarity within uncertainty—both as it relates to Tagovailoa’s future and in their larger plan moving forward.
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