Like it or not, Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa is about to get PAID

The Miami Dolphins have plenty of necessary selections to make this offseason, however one choice that seems to have already been made is whether or not or to not pay quarterback Tua Tagovailoa a monster deal — and rightfully so.

In any case, it’s been over twenty years for the reason that Dolphins have had a participant as gifted as Tagovailoa enjoying behind heart. The previous Fifth-overall decide within the 2020 NFL Draft is coming off his first full season, one wherein he led the league in passing yards with 4,624 yards. He completed the yr with a 101.1 passer score and a 29/14 landing to interception radio.

Was this season excellent? Completely not.

However regardless of how disappointing the yr ended, with the crew as soon as once more failing to indicate up in late December and early January, the Dolphins have their franchise quarterback. And that’s not coming from me or the man making your sandwiches at Publix. No. Anybody with two eyes and two ears can see/hear that this crew is constructing the roster round Tua and that each Grier and McDaniel foresee him as their quarterback of the long run — no matter the way you or anybody else feels about his inevitable big-money extension.

On January fifteenth, Chris Grier was requested in regards to the significance of getting a brand new deal carried out with Tagovailoa. Right here’s what Miami’s normal supervisor needed to say about Tua’s contract extension and their progress all through the season.

“We’ve had conversations…by no means speaking about cash or something, simply good conversations about the place he’s and the connection with Mike (McDaniel) and the crew right here and every part he’s carried out. So the objective is to have him right here long run enjoying at a excessive stage. That’s all the time the objective and we’ll proceed to speak with him by the offseason right here. Like we’ve all the time stated up to now, you guys know me, we don’t actually discuss within the media by all that stuff, so we’ll simply hold all these talks inner and along with his reps.”

This week, head coach Mike McDaniel had his likelihood to reply a barrage of questions. Right here’s what Miami’s head coach stated when requested about Tagovailoa on the 2024 NFL Scouting Mix.

“Completely….I’m very inspired. Each Tua’s illustration and our group are onerous at work. These timelines are not possible to foretell and my primary concern this offseason has been speaking what Tua wants from his head coach and his offensive teaching employees, which is what issues can we establish to proceed the development of your recreation the identical method that we’ve got since day one?

McDaniel continued:

“My perception has all the time been robust from day one in Tua. It’s stronger than it was the primary day I met him and that’s due to that relationship, the place I’m centered, which is constant to offer the teaching so he can proceed to evolve his recreation as he has for the reason that second that I began speaking to him.”

Final season was Tagovailoa’s most profitable season of his profession, and in McDaniel’s opinion, it had every part to do with the extra reps he received in Miami’s offense. #LetTuaCook

“Reps. He had extra reps than he’s ever had in his profession as a result of he performed the total season. That was one thing that in soccer, there are plenty of issues that may occur. There are additionally plenty of issues you possibly can management. I feel top-of-the-line examples of taking management of your profession is what Tua was in a position to do by coaching and having the ability to expertise all of the various things – I imply shoot, expertise a playoff recreation for the primary time in his profession. That was afforded to him as a result of he was in a position to lead the crew week in and week out. These are issues that weren’t essentially assumed he was able to doing, however like most issues Tua has carried out in his profession, he’s acknowledged that and proved doubters improper.”

And nonetheless, regardless of all of that, I get why some may be reluctant. As one of many authentic #TankForTua disciples, I’ve typically watched by aqua and orange-tinted glasses. However I’ll be the primary one to confess, it hasn’t been excellent for Tua — who, regardless of his stellar efficiency all through the common season — all the time appears to fall brief when Miami wants him to play at his largest.

And that’s why there’s even a little bit of hesitation by some all through the fanbase, proper?

It’s not as a result of he hasn’t performed at an #elite stage when he’s wholesome — as a result of he has. It has nothing to do with the development he’s made or the event we’ve seen during the last 4 seasons — as a result of there’s been loads of that.

What all of it comes all the way down to is whether or not or not Tagovailoa can go toe-to-toe with the highest quarterbacks within the NFL — a lot of whom reside within the AFC. Sure, we’ve seen Tua alternate touchdowns with Patrick Mahomes. We’ve seen his crew come out on high vs. Justin Herbert and Lamar Jackson. Invoice Belichick — the as soon as unstoppable power for rookie quarterbacks — by no means beat a Tua-led crew. We’ve seen all of it. However one factor we’ve got not seen in over 20+ years is a playoff victory. And till the Dolphins discover a approach to do the seemingly unthinkable, some on this fanbase will stay skeptical.

Right here’s a have a look at Spotrac’s projected contract for Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa.

There’s nonetheless some within the fanbase that might be sad it doesn’t matter what the numbers appear to be. However as somebody who as soon as advised you that he nonetheless believed in Tua Tagovailoa, and it is best to too — I’m asking you as soon as once more to do the identical.

We all know the place Tua wants to enhance, and most significantly, he is aware of the place he wants to enhance. And though some might need to discover an ageing veteran or an unproven rookie to take his spot, let’s face it: this offense is constructed round Tua Tagovailoa. And after this extension is signed, McDaniel and Grier might be tied to the person I as soon as known as The Left Arm of God.

It’s sink or swim for the Dolphins. However for Tagovailoa, when all is alleged and carried out, he’ll be swimming like Scrooge McDuck — into a giant fats pile of cash — as one of many NFL’s subsequent big-money quarterbacks.

What are your ideas on Tua Tagovailoa? Do you suppose he deserves a long-term take care of the Dolphins? The place does he rank among the many NFL’s high quarterbacks? Tell us within the feedback part under!