Terron Armstead Backs Tua Tagovailoa to Reclaim Dolphins Starting Job Despite Benchings
Tua Tagovailoa’s 2025 season has taken a sharp turn - from leading the league in passing accuracy just a year ago to now watching from the sidelines as a third-string quarterback. But if you ask former teammate and longtime Dolphins captain Terron Armstead, this story isn’t over. Not by a long shot.
On his podcast this week, Armstead made a confident prediction: “The Week 1 kickoff next year, Tua Tagovailoa is the starting quarterback.”
That’s a bold statement, considering the current state of affairs in Miami. Head coach Mike McDaniel made waves by benching Tagovailoa after a rough outing against the Steelers, handing the reins to rookie Quinn Ewers. Tagovailoa didn’t just get demoted - he was bumped all the way down to third string, with Zach Wilson stepping in as Ewers’ backup for the upcoming matchup against Cincinnati.
But Armstead, who shared the Dolphins’ captaincy with Tua and considers him a close friend, understands the move - even if it stings.
“I understand the frustrations from Coach McDaniel, from the organization, and even from Tua himself,” Armstead said. “It’s unfortunate, but not surprising.”
Tagovailoa’s 2025 campaign has been a head-scratcher. After leading the NFL in accuracy in 2024, he now leads the league in interceptions with 15.
That’s not just a statistical dip - it’s a complete reversal of what made Tua so effective. And for someone whose game is built on sharp decision-making and pinpoint accuracy, the drop-off has been hard to watch.
“This year, him having struggles in his areas of strength is puzzling to me,” Armstead admitted. “Tua’s not the biggest, not the fastest, not the most agile quarterback.
But his decision-making, his precision, his accuracy - that’s his superpower. That’s where you could line him up against anybody on planet Earth.”
But this season, those strengths have become liabilities. Armstead pointed to decisions that put the ball - and the team - in jeopardy, ultimately leading to McDaniel’s decision to sit him down.
Still, Armstead doesn’t see this as the end for Tua in Miami. He sees it as a reset - and a challenge.
“You get a rookie who’s coming in, you give him the keys to the franchise,” Armstead said of Ewers. “You don’t want the pressure of the starting quarterback right behind him.
If he has a bad series or two, you don’t want the team or the fans calling for Tua right away. You want to give him a chance to get comfortable.”
In Armstead’s eyes, this isn’t about finding the Dolphins’ quarterback of the future just yet. It’s about seeing whether Ewers can finally be the reliable backup the team has lacked for years.
“This is a chance to see if Quinn Ewers can be that security blanket,” Armstead said. “To help solidify that backup quarterback spot that Miami’s been searching for.”
As for Tua, Armstead hasn’t spoken to him since the benching - not out of avoidance, but out of respect.
“He’s a brother,” Armstead said. “He’s going through it, man.
It’s a mental battle right now. This is tough.
It’s disappointing. It’s embarrassing.”
But Armstead also believes this is where leadership matters most. If Tua wants to reclaim his job, it starts with how he shows up - not just on game day, but every day.
“I want to see Tua showing up to work, being intentional, being a leader, being a captain,” Armstead said. “Help game plan.
Give Quinn Ewers everything he needs to go out there and be successful. Be a servant to those guys.
Be an asset in any way he can.”
“Show up like he’s going to play on Sunday - every single day.”
It’s a message that resonates beyond just the Dolphins’ locker room. The NFL is full of comeback stories, and while this season has tested Tagovailoa in ways few could have predicted, the door isn’t closed.
Not according to Armstead. Not yet.
And if his former teammate is right, don’t be surprised if No. 1 is back under center in Miami come Week 1 next year - with something to prove.