It's Time for The Miami Dolphins to Move on From Tua Tagovailoa
It pains me to say this, but the facts are the facts: Tua Tagovailoa cannot physically be the franchise quarterback for the Miami Dolphins. There’s no denying his talent on the field; the problem is that he’s rarely on the field. I admire Tua greatly—he’s everything you could ask for in a quarterback. He’s accurate, makes smart decisions, and possesses impeccable character. However, none of that matters if he can’t stay healthy and available to play. A quarterback’s primary job is to lead their team consistently, and unfortunately, Tua has not been able to fulfill that role due to his persistent injuries.
In five seasons, Tua has managed to play a full slate of games only once. Even during that lone full season, the Dolphins struggled against elite competition, highlighted by an embarrassing loss to the Buffalo Bills in the final week—a game that could have clinched the division title. His inability to stay healthy has been a recurring issue. On average, Tua plays about 13 games per season, which is simply not enough for a team with championship aspirations. Availability is the most critical ability in the NFL, and Tua’s frequent absences have cost the Dolphins more than just wins; they’ve cost the team momentum and stability.
As we speak, Tua is sidelined yet again, missing his second straight week at a crucial juncture of the season. This isn’t an isolated incident either. Back in 2022, he suffered a concussion against the Green Bay Packers, which caused him to miss the following four games. Predictably, the Dolphins lost all of them, effectively derailing their postseason hopes. These moments underscore a painful truth: no matter how talented Tua is, his unreliability makes it nearly impossible for the Dolphins to plan for sustained success.
What’s even more concerning is that his latest injury isn’t a concussion—it’s a hip issue, the same area he injured in college. Given his history, one has to wonder how serious this will be moving forward. Hip injuries can be notoriously difficult to recover from, and they raise legitimate questions about whether Tua can maintain the physical durability required to thrive in the NFL.
I want to be clear: I have nothing but admiration and respect for Tua. He has handled adversity with grace, and he represents the franchise with dignity. However, if the Dolphins are truly serious about contending for a Super Bowl, they need to make a hard decision and move on from him. It’s not fair to the team, the fans, or even Tua himself to continue playing this game of quarterback Russian roulette every season, hoping that this year will be different.
The NFL is a brutal business, and success demands tough choices. For the Miami Dolphins, the time has come to face reality. Building a championship roster starts with a reliable quarterback, and until they have one, the Dolphins will remain stuck in a cycle of unfulfilled potential. As much as it hurts, moving on from Tua is the only path forward.