Explore the criticism faced by Tua Tagovailoa following the Miami Dolphins’ defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs, including fan reactions, performance stats, and future contract considerations.
- Tua Tagovailoa faced significant criticism from fans, analysts, and former players following the Miami Dolphins’ loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
- Tagovailoa’s performance featured 199 passing yards, a touchdown, and an interception, raising questions about his future with the Dolphins.
- The Dolphins’ overall performance was underwhelming, especially against playoff teams, which further highlighted Tagovailoa’s struggles in crucial games.
Tua Tagovailoa’s Struggles in Dolphins’ Defeat to Chiefs
In the wake of the Miami Dolphins’ loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has faced significant criticism for his performance. The Dolphins lost 26-7 at Arrowhead Stadium, despite entering the game with one of the NFL’s top offenses.
Reactions and Criticism
- Criticism from Willie Snead and Colin Cowherd: Willie Snead IV, a nine-year NFL wide receiver, tweeted, “The Dolphins will be good when Tua stop acting soft AF,” garnering over 10,000 likes. Similarly, Colin Cowherd criticized Tagovailoa for his physical attributes and performance, stating, “Tua is small. Has an injury history. Average arm. Not super athletic. And can only play in ideal conditions​​.
- Comments from Mitchell Schwartz: Former Chiefs Super Bowl champion right tackle Mitchell Schwartz mentioned, “Miami’s in a tough spot with Tua,” highlighting the limitations of building a team around him and the risks involved in extending his contrac​​t.
- Fan Reactions: Fans expressed mixed opinions. Some criticized Miami head coach Mike McDaniel’s play-calling, suggesting a lack of trust in Tagovailoa. Others pointed out the quarterback’s limitations, especially without star receiver Tyreek Hill​​.
#49ers Willie Snead IV RIPS #Dolphins Tua 😲
“The Dolphins will be good when Tua stop acting soft AF” https://t.co/Q9b9e9hDOj pic.twitter.com/mOV3N4Iaqq
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 14, 2024
Tagovailoa’s Performance and Future
- Statistical Overview: Tagovailoa completed 20 of 39 passes for 199 yards, with one touchdown and one interception, resulting in an ESPN passer rating of 63.
- Contractual Situation: Tagovailoa is entering the final year of his rookie contract, with a salary of $23 million. His future with the Dolphins is uncertain, as the team must decide whether to offer him a significant contract extension​​​​.
- Comparison to Other Quarterbacks: Tagovailoa’s salary is significantly lower compared to contemporaries like Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert, who have already secured substantial contract extensions​​.
Team Performance and Season Review
- Offensive Struggles: The Dolphins struggled offensively, particularly in the last few games of the season, including the loss to the Chiefs. They finished the year 1-6 against playoff teams, with an average of only 13.3 points in their final three games against the Ravens, Bills, and Chief​​.
- Tagovailoa’s Late-Season Slide: In his final three games, Tagovailoa had 609 passing yards, 4 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions, with declining quarterback rating​.
- Injuries and Team Effort: Despite the challenges, wide receiver Tyreek Hill praised the team’s effort and highlighted the impact of injuries on their performanc​​e.
While Tagovailoa led the Dolphins to impressive wins and accumulated significant yardage, his ability to perform in crucial games, particularly against strong teams, has been questioned. With his contract up for renewal, the Dolphins face a challenging decision regarding his future with the team.
