When Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa finalized his four-year, $212 million contract on Friday, it marked the conclusion of a period during which the team explored alternatives to him as their starting quarterback.
Just two years prior, the Dolphins were actively pursuing both Deshaun Watson and Tom Brady, considering them as potential replacements for the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Fortunately for Tua Tagovailoa, he has a key supporter within the organization—Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel. Since taking over as head coach in Miami before the 2022 season, McDaniel has been crucial not only in Tagovailoa’s growth as a quarterback but also in the recent contract talks that secured Tagovailoa’s position as the fourth-highest paid quarterback in NFL history based on average annual value.
Last season, Tua Tagovailoa completed almost 70 percent of his passes, leading the league with 4,624 yards and 29 touchdowns. The Dolphins ranked second in the NFL in scoring with just over 29 points per game, which explains why the team, particularly Mike McDaniel, was keen to avoid any contract issues with their franchise quarterback.
Dolphins Coach Mike McDaniel Discusses Contract Extension
Even though Mike McDaniel played a key role in finalizing the deal between the Dolphins and Tua Tagovailoa, don’t expect the 41-year-old head coach to be celebrating just yet.
McDaniel recognizes that there is still much work ahead. Despite a strong regular season last year, the Dolphins ended on a sour note, losing their final two games—one to the Buffalo Bills in the regular season finale, which could have secured the AFC East title and a home playoff game, and the other on the road in chilly Kansas City. For the Dolphins to advance past the Wild Card Round, Tua will need to continue his development.
“Tua has demonstrated throughout the offseason that he understands the stakes. Fortunately, he and his teammates have the opportunity to shape the narrative through their performance. Our focus is on how we play, knowing that the results will speak for themselves. So, we should aim to influence those results positively.”
