Pressure on Tua Tagovailoa for Miami Dolphins in 2021
The Miami Dolphins won 10 games last year but missed the playoffs. This season, the pressure is on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to deliver.
How many quarterbacks see their team win 10 games during their rookie season, only to be on the hot seat entering their second campaign?
Welcome to Tua Tagovailoa’s reality. The Miami Dolphins’ quarterback is trying to rid himself of skeptics despite the team’s success in 2020. Of course, part of the skepticism is earned. Tagovailoa started nine games but only finished seven after twice being benched for veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick.
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All told, Tagovailoa had a decent but, at times, underwhelming first voyage in Miami. The former Alabama Crimson Tide star put up 1,184 passing yards on 6.3 yards per attempt with 11 touchdowns against five interceptions. With the No. 5 overall pick at the helm, Miami went 6-3 to finish its season, while Tagovailoa threw for more than 300 yards only twice, both coming in decisive defeats against the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills.
For the Dolphins, the offseason was about upgrading around their young quarterback to give him a terrific shot to succeed. In that regard, general manger Chris Grier utilized both free agency and the draft, landing Will Fuller in the former on a two-year deal before using a first-round choice to snag Tagovailoa’s former teammate at Alabama, receiver Jaylen Waddle.
With Fuller and Waddle joining a receiver room which includes veterans DeVante Parker, Albert Wilson and Preston Williams, the Dolphins have plenty of weapons. Now, Tagovailoa is challenged with making it all work. If he can, Miami should be one of the more complete teams in the AFC. The defense is terrific led by the combination of corners Xavien Howard and Byron Jones. If the offense can be efficient and occasionally explosive, the Dolphins are a contender.
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However, should Tagovailoa struggle to create the big play — this might have been then biggest knock on him as a rookie, with much of now-former offensive coordinator Chan Gailey’s gameplan centered on quick passes — Miami will once again fight for a wild card berth while Buffalo runs away with the AFC East.
If Tagovailoa stagnates, Miami might try to move on, armed with three first-round picks over the next two years. For the youngster, the future is now.
