Tua Tagovailoa’s Struggles Put Dolphins at a Crossroads After Playoff Elimination
The Miami Dolphins find themselves in a tough spot-and not just because they’ve been officially knocked out of the playoff picture. Their quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, is in the middle of what can only be described as the most difficult season of his career, and with three games still left on the schedule, questions are swirling around head coach Mike McDaniel and whether a change under center is on the table.
Let’s start with the numbers, because they paint a clear picture. Tagovailoa has already set career highs in both interceptions and sacks-two categories no quarterback wants to lead in.
He’s been picked off 15 times this season, more than double the seven interceptions he threw last year. And that’s despite attempting fewer passes this season.
The regression isn’t subtle; it’s glaring.
The Dolphins had managed to string together a four-game win streak before Monday night’s loss to the Steelers, but even during that stretch, it was clear something was off. Miami’s offense leaned heavily on the ground game, and Tagovailoa’s role was noticeably scaled back.
It wasn’t just a coincidence. The formula was simple: run the ball, control the clock, and limit the chances for turnovers.
In other words, win by minimizing the quarterback’s impact.
That strategy worked-for a while. But eventually, you need your quarterback to make plays, and when the Dolphins needed Tagovailoa to step up against Pittsburgh, the offense fell flat.
It’s not just the turnovers. Tagovailoa currently leads the league in interceptions, but he’s also near the bottom in production.
Among quarterbacks who have started every game this season, only Titans rookie Cam Ward has fewer passing yards and touchdowns. This isn’t a case of a gunslinger taking risks and occasionally getting burned.
It’s a quarterback struggling to generate offense and turning the ball over at an alarming rate.
Now, here’s where things get complicated for Miami. Tagovailoa is under contract for 2026, and the team owes him $54 million guaranteed.
That’s a massive financial commitment, and it makes any decision about his future far more difficult. Cutting ties or even exploring other options comes with major cap implications.
But the question the Dolphins have to answer is this: Can they really move forward with a quarterback who’s played like this? Tagovailoa has had bright moments in his career, no doubt. But this season has raised real concerns about his long-term viability as the leader of this offense.
With the playoffs now out of reach, the final three games of the season may serve as an extended audition-not just for Tua, but for the direction of the entire franchise. McDaniel and the front office will have some tough decisions to make, and they’ll need to decide whether this is just a rough patch or a sign that it’s time to pivot.
One thing’s clear: the Dolphins have a lot more to figure out than just their offseason plans. They need to determine if their quarterback of the present can still be their quarterback of the future.