Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel has confirmed that Tua Tagovailoa will remain the starting quarterback, despite his recent struggles on the field. This decision follows a disappointing performance against the Cleveland Browns on October 29, 2023, where Tagovailoa was replaced by rookie Quinn Ewers late in the game. The Dolphins lost that match 31-6, marking a low point for Tagovailoa, who threw three interceptions, bringing his total for the season to ten.
McDaniel expressed confidence in Tagovailoa’s ability to improve, stating, “He is going to take the snaps this week, and he is going to be a starter this week, and my expectation is that we don’t throw 10 picks.” Tagovailoa’s passer rating of 24.1 in the game against the Browns was the lowest of his career. After the match, he acknowledged his dissatisfaction with his performance and vowed to work towards regaining his previous form.
Coaching and Collaboration
In an effort to address Tagovailoa’s performance issues, McDaniel and the quarterback reviewed game footage together the following morning. McDaniel emphasized the importance of their collaborative relationship, stating, “I don’t see it as all on a player or all on a coach. It’s a working relationship and we both have to get better together because that’s not good enough.” The head coach noted that they focused on the offensive plays and discussed strategies for improvement.
While the Dolphins have made it clear that Tagovailoa will continue as the starter, the situation regarding the backup quarterback position remains uncertain. Ewers, who was promoted to the second-string role for the game against the Browns, completed 5-of-8 passes for 53 yards in his first NFL appearance. He will compete with Zach Wilson, the former No. 2 overall pick, for the backup role moving forward. McDaniel commented, “It will be competitive this week and at the end of the week I’ll let you guys know who the backup is in the hopes that somebody grabs and takes it.”
Injury Updates
In addition to quarterback concerns, McDaniel provided an update on tight end Darren Waller, who is currently leading the team with four touchdown receptions. Waller is likely to miss the upcoming game against the Atlanta Falcons due to a pectoral injury. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, tests revealed that Waller has a strained pectoral but is not expected to require surgery. His recovery will be monitored on a week-to-week basis.
The Dolphins, currently holding a record of 1-6, are looking to turn their season around in the coming weeks. With Tagovailoa at the helm, the team hopes to reduce turnovers and improve offensive production as they prepare for their next matchup.
