The Dolphins are moving on from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after a rollercoaster run in Miami that began with high expectations and ended with him on the sidelines in a backup role.
The Dolphins on Monday announced they were releasing Tagovailoa, the former first-round draft pick and the team’s primary starter for the last 5 1/2 seasons.
Miami Arrival
Tagovailoa was one of the most sought after players after finishing his college career at Alabama with 7,442 yards passing along with 87 touchdowns and just 11 interceptions.
The Hawaii native gained fame when he came off the bench in the second half to lead the Crimson Tide to a victory in the national title game for the 2017 season.
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UNSPECIFIED LOCATION – APRIL 23: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) In this still image from video provided by the Miami Dolphins, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa speaks via teleconference after being drafted during the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft on April 23, 2020. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images)
He started 24 of his next 25 games, which included getting Alabama back to the title game in the 2018 season after defeating Oklahoma in the 2018 Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
A dislocated hip sidelined him toward the end of the 2019 season, and Tagovailoa announced he would forgo his senior season at Alabama and made himself eligible for the draft.
The Dolphins selected him with the fifth pick in the 2020 NFL draft, just the fifth time in the history of the franchise they selected a quarterback in the first round.
Rookie Season
Tagovailoa began his rookie year as a backup to veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick before making his debut against the New York Jets in October 2020, completing both of his pass attempts for a total of nine yards.
He started multiple games as the team won 10 games that season, but was also benched twice by Coach Brian Flores.
The team lost to the Buffalo Bills in the season finale, costing them a playoff berth.
Second Season
Tua began the season as the team’s starter but fractured some ribs in Week 2, and had to be placed on injured reserve.
He returned but suffered a finger fracture later in the season.
The team began 1-7 then won their next 7 games in a row, ultimately finishing with a 9-8 record and missing the playoffs again, leading to the firing of Flores.
A New Coach and Receiver in 2022
The Dolphins added a couple big pieces in the offseason, hiring Head Coach Mike McDaniel and bringing in star wide receiver Tyreek Hill.
The Dolphins started the season 3-0, but Tagovailoa suffered a hard hit in the third game and later returned.
After the game, the NFLPA reportedly launched an investigation into the Dolphins’ concussion protocol when evaluating the quarterback.
Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa had to be taken to the hospital after an injury during Thursday night’s game against the Bengals.
He suffered another frightening injury when he had to be carted off the field in the next game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Tagovailoa sent into concussion protocol and returned weeks later, but then went into concussion protocol a second time later in the season.
Despite Tua’s injury issues, the Dolphins made the playoffs but lost to the Bills in the Wild Card round.
Tagovailoa led the league in passer rating and passing average with over 3,500 yards and 25 touchdowns, along with 8 interceptions.
A Star in 2023
Tua led the league in passing yards in 2023 with a career-best 29 passing touchdowns as the Dolphins rolled to an 11-6 record, good for 2nd in the AFC East.
It was the first time a Dolphins quarterback led the league in passing yards since Dan Marino in 1992.
Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa showed off his new cornrow hairstyle while speaking to reporters on Wednesday.
Tua stayed healthy and was named to the Pro Bowl but the season once again ended with a disappointing finish as the Dolphins lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Wild Card.
A Massive Deal
During the offseason, Tagovailoa signed a 4-year, $212 million extension with the Dolphins.
The Miami Dolphins signed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to a four-year contract extension valued at a franchise-record $212.4 million. NBC6’s Sara Cardona reports
But just a couple games into the season, he suffered another concussion and missed multiple games.
The Dolphins finished the season 8-9 and missed the playoffs.
Last Year in Miami
Tagovailoa struggled in his last year in Miami, leading McDaniel to bench him late in the season.
He finished with a little over 2,600 yards, 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions as the Dolphins finished 7-10 and once again missed the playoffs.
McDaniel was fired at the end of the season.
Tagovailoa at the time said he wasn’t happy with the decision and wasn’t sure what his future with the team would look like.
Legacy
Tagovailoa, who turned 28 earlier this month, went 44-32 as Miami’s starter, dealt with concussions on multiple occasions and at times was a lightning rod for critics. Over the last five seasons — not counting his first year when he wasn’t the full-time starter yet — Tagovailoa completed 68.6% of his passes, second only to Joe Burrow over that span, while ranking 11th leaguewide in passing yards and passing touchdowns.
At times, it was good. In the end, it just wasn’t always good enough. Tagovailoa reacted to Monday’s announcement on social media, thanking the Dolphins “for six unbelievable years.”
“From the moment I arrived, you believed in me, supported me, and embraced my family as your own,” Tagovailoa wrote. “I was able to marry my wife and welcome both my kids to this world. … Wearing this jersey and representing this city has been one of the greatest joys of my life.”
NBC6 sports anchor Giselle Espinales chats with Tua Tagovailoa one-on-one on all things football and family.
He also expressed disappointment that he couldn’t deliver that long-awaited playoff breakthrough for the team and its fans.
“I also carry deep regret that I couldn’t get the job done and bring a championship home to this city,” Tagovailoa said. “Miami deserves that, and I’ll always wish I could have delivered it for you.”
“As I prepare for the next chapter, I move forward with gratitude, faith, and memories I’ll cherish for a lifetime,” Tagovailoa wrote. “South Florida will always hold a special place in my heart.”
The Dolphins, who have the NFL’s longest playoff win drought, at a quarter-century and counting, are now starting over at quarterback.