The Miami Dolphins recently made headlines with their handling of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, marking a dramatic chapter in NFL history. Tua, who dazzled under former head coach Mike McDaniel, faced a challenging journey with mounting injuries and concussions.
Despite these concerns, Miami rolled the dice with a hefty $200+ million contract, only to see Tua's performance dip significantly. The fallout led to his release, leaving the Dolphins with a staggering $99 million in dead money-a move echoing the infamous Russell Wilson saga in Denver.
Former Dolphins Pro Bowler Jarvis Landry, known for his candid takes, shared his thoughts on Tua's tenure. During his debut on the "4th and South" podcast with Leonard Fournette, Landry didn't hold back:
"I don’t know if there is a right team. He has a lot of limitations.
[…] I think we all know that he's not the guy, and we were just hoping that it happens. And I couldn't play quarterback, to be honest.
I play receiver for a reason. I think he had the weapons, man, and I don't want to say his body failed him.
I just think that the talent never really stood out."
Landry, who caught passes from both Ryan Tannehill and Jay Cutler during his Miami days, knows a thing or two about quarterback talent. His skepticism about Tua isn't new, but it’s certainly striking.
Now, Tua is set to join the Atlanta Falcons, aiming for a career revival. The move to Atlanta could offer some advantages-playing in a dome and facing a less daunting division than Miami's. In Atlanta, Tua's competition includes young talents like the Saints' Tyler Shough, the Panthers' Bryce Young, and Baker Mayfield with the Buccaneers.
The podcast didn't clarify if Landry's comments came before or after Tua's new destination was public. Nonetheless, the Falcons, under head coach Kevin Stefanski, present an intriguing scenario. Stefanski, who previously worked with Landry in Cleveland, has a track record of rejuvenating quarterbacks, as seen with Joe Flacco's resurgence in 2023.
Tua's path in Atlanta isn't without challenges, as he’ll need to outperform first-round pick Michael Penix Jr., who is currently sidelined with a knee injury. While Tua has a shot to start, Penix's arm strength and potential loom large. If Landry's assessment holds true, Tua's window to prove himself might be narrow, but the opportunity for redemption is there.