The NFL community has been buzzing with the unfolding drama between Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and his former head coach, Brian Flores. What started as whispers has evolved into a narrative that now involves new revelations.
Drama Between Tagovailoa and Flores
The tension between Tagovailoa and Flores has become a focal point of discussion. Tua’s recent comments have shed light on his challenging relationship with Flores. Reflecting on his experiences, he shared, “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, who now serves as a linebackers coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers, responded with introspection. “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?”
The Draft Decision and On-Field Dynamics
The roots of their friction can be traced back to the 2020 NFL Draft. Tagovailoa was selected fifth overall by the Dolphins, a decision made by GM Chris Grier. However, there were murmurs that Flores had a different preference, favoring Justin Herbert, who was picked by the Los Angeles Chargers. This underlying tension perhaps foreshadowed the on-field challenges Tagovailoa would face under Flores’ leadership.
Tagovailoa saw his first NFL action in Week 6 of the 2020 season against the New York Jets. By Week 8, he started a game against the Los Angeles Rams. But despite glimpses of potential, his rookie season was marked with inconsistency. Notably, in a Week 11 matchup with the Denver Broncos and again in Week 16 against the Las Vegas Raiders, Flores decided to substitute Ryan Fitzpatrick for Tagovailoa during the crucial fourth quarters.
Interest in Deshaun Watson and the Changing of Coaches
The subsequent season brought another layer of drama, as reports surfaced about the Dolphins’ interest in trading for quarterback Deshaun Watson. These rumors only added to the uncertainty surrounding Tagovailoa’s position within the team. As tensions escalated and the Dolphins finished with a 9-8 record, Flores' tenure came to an end in January 2022.
With Flores’ departure, the Dolphins welcomed Mike McDaniel as the new head coach. McDaniel's arrival marked a significant shift in the team’s atmosphere. In his own words, McDaniel expressed confidence and enthusiasm towards working with Tagovailoa: “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?”
Turning a New Leaf
Under McDaniel’s guidance, Tagovailoa’s performance flourished. The results were evident as he led the NFL in passer rating in 2022 and passing yards in 2023. His achievements did not go unnoticed as he celebrated his first Pro Bowl selection, signaling a refreshing chapter in his career.
Reflecting on the positive changes, Tagovailoa noted, “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.”
It's clear the support Tagovailoa received from McDaniel made a significant impact. “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 the support of the head coach, the head guy, that should tell you a lot,” he articulated.
As the NFL world continues to watch Tagovailoa's journey, the quarterback's resurgence under new leadership highlights the profound effect of coaching on player performance and morale. The Dolphins’ locker room dynamic, once fraught with tension, now appears to be a place of renewed hope and ambition.