Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins Fall Short in Week 15 - and Face Uncertain Future at QB
The Miami Dolphins' playoff hopes came to a crashing halt under the Monday night lights, as they fell 28-15 to the Pittsburgh Steelers in a game that left more questions than answers - especially under center.
Tua Tagovailoa, who’s been under the microscope all season, struggled to get the offense going when it mattered most. While the box score might show a respectable 22 completions on 28 attempts for 253 yards and two touchdowns, those numbers don’t tell the full story.
Through the first three quarters, Tagovailoa had just 65 passing yards. Both of his touchdown passes came in the fourth quarter - long after Pittsburgh had seized control of the game.
It was a performance that’s reigniting the conversation around Miami’s long-term plans at quarterback. The Dolphins invested heavily in Tagovailoa - selecting him fifth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft and doubling down with a four-year, $212.4 million extension inked this past July. But with the team now eliminated from playoff contention and Tua’s play trending downward, the pressure is mounting.
This season, Tagovailoa has thrown for 2,660 yards with a 67.7% completion rate, 20 touchdowns, and a career-high 15 interceptions. That interception number is particularly concerning, especially given the offensive weapons Miami has built around him and the creative mind of head coach Mike McDaniel calling plays.
And now, with two games left in the regular season, McDaniel isn’t ruling anything out - including a potential quarterback change.
“The quarterback play last night was not good enough,” McDaniel said on Tuesday. “And so for me, everything is on the table.”
That’s not exactly a vote of confidence for your franchise quarterback. McDaniel added that the team is still in the early stages of game planning for their Week 16 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, and that the coaching staff is evaluating who gives them the best chance to win on Sunday.
Translation: Tua’s job is no longer guaranteed.
If the Dolphins do decide to make a switch, they’ll turn to either Zach Wilson - the former Jets starter who’s looking for a fresh start - or rookie Quinn Ewers, who’s yet to take a regular-season snap. Neither option is ideal, but with postseason hopes dashed, the Dolphins may opt to evaluate what they have behind Tagovailoa heading into the offseason.
It’s a tough spot for Miami. When Tua is on, the Dolphins’ offense can be one of the most dynamic in the league. But when he struggles - especially against playoff-caliber defenses - the limitations become glaring.
The next few weeks could be pivotal not just for the Dolphins’ short-term plans, but for the long-term trajectory of the franchise. Is Tua still the guy? Or is Miami about to pivot in a different direction?
One thing’s clear: the Dolphins' quarterback situation just became the most closely watched storyline in South Florida.