The unfolding drama between Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and former head coach Brian Flores has captivated the NFL world. Tagovailoa’s recent criticism of Flores has been under intense scrutiny, shedding light on the complexities and tensions within the Dolphins' camp during Flores' tenure.
The Draft Dilemma
Tua Tagovailoa was selected fifth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Dolphins, a decision made by Dolphins GM Chris Grier. However, whispers suggest that Flores had a preference for Justin Herbert, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers. This potential discord set the stage for the strained relationship between Tagovailoa and Flores. Tagovailoa reflected on the conflicting messages he received, 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?”
Tagovailoa’s Rocky Start
Tagovailoa didn’t see NFL action until a Week 6 matchup against the New York Jets in the 2020 season. By Week 8, he started against the Los Angeles Rams. Yet, his rookie season was punctuated by moments of uncertainty. Flores substituted Fitzpatrick for Tagovailoa during the fourth quarter of a Week 11 matchup against the Denver Broncos and again in Week 16 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Flores’ Tenure and Departure
The 2021 season was marred by reports of the Dolphins' interest in trading for Deshaun Watson, fueling further speculation about Flores' confidence in Tagovailoa. Flores' tenure came to an end in January 2022 following a 9-8 season. Now, Flores serves as a linebackers coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Reflecting on his time with the Dolphins, Flores remarked, “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 Beginning with McDaniel
Following Flores’ departure, Mike McDaniel took over as the new head coach of the Miami Dolphins. Under McDaniel’s guidance, Tagovailoa’s performance skyrocketed. He led the NFL in passer rating in 2022 and passing yards in 2023. McDaniel's supportive approach seemed to have a profound impact on the young quarterback. Addressing Tagovailoa, McDaniel said, “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?”
A Changed Locker Room
Tagovailoa has acknowledged the positive changes within the Dolphins’ locker room since McDaniel's arrival. “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.” This fresh atmosphere has been pivotal in fostering Tagovailoa’s growth and confidence.
Expressing the importance of support, Tagovailoa noted, “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 saga between Tagovailoa and Flores is a testament to the intricate dynamics within professional sports teams. As Tagovailoa continues to flourish under McDaniel’s mentorship, it is clear that the support and belief of a coach can significantly impact a player’s performance and morale. How McDaniel and Tagovailoa build on this foundation in the coming seasons will be a narrative worth following.