The NFL community has been riveted by the ongoing saga involving Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and former head coach Brian Flores. The controversy erupted after Tagovailoa's pointed criticism of Flores, leading to significant scrutiny within the league.
During his tenure with the Dolphins, Tagovailoa, the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, faced rumors that Flores preferred another quarterback, Justin Herbert, who was picked by the Los Angeles Chargers. This speculation did little to foster confidence between the young quarterback and his coach.
Draft Decisions and Early NFL Experiences
Dolphins General Manager Chris Grier was instrumental in the decision to draft Tagovailoa. However, the quarterback's NFL journey did not begin smoothly. His first taste of regular-season action came in a Week 6 matchup against the New York Jets in 2020. By Week 8, he started his first game against the Los Angeles Rams. However, Flores made critical decisions during the season that raised eyebrows, such as substituting veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick for Tagovailoa during critical moments, including the fourth quarter of a Week 11 game against the Denver Broncos and again in Week 16 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Tensions Rise Between Coach and Quarterback
These coaching decisions seemed to exacerbate the tension between Tagovailoa and Flores. Tagovailoa described the emotionally taxing environment under Flores succinctly: “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, reflected on the criticism while expressing a desire for personal growth. “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?'” he explained. “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?”
New Leadership Brings a Fresh Start
The Dolphins’ turbulent 2021 season was marked by reports of their interest in trading for Deshaun Watson and ultimately culminated in Flores' departure following a 9-8 season. The team turned a new page with the hiring of Mike McDaniel as the head coach in January 2022. McDaniel's arrival signaled a significant cultural shift for the Dolphins and a renewed sense of optimism for Tagovailoa.
McDaniel's confidence in Tagovailoa was immediately apparent. “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?” said McDaniel.
The impact of McDaniel's leadership was quickly evident. Under his guidance, Tagovailoa led the NFL in passer rating in 2022 and in passing yards in 2023. The quarterback also celebrated his first Pro Bowl selection, marking a significant milestone in his evolving career.
A Renewed Locker Room Atmosphere
Tagovailoa spoke positively about the changes within the Dolphins organization. “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.”
He emphasized the importance of having support from the head coach, something that seemed to have been lacking during Flores’ tenure. “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,” he noted.
As Tagovailoa and the Dolphins look to build on their recent successes, the quarterback’s relationship with his coach will be a critical factor. With McDaniel at the helm and a reinvigorated locker room, the future looks bright for Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins.