Miami Dolphins: QB Tua Tagovailoa overall sharp versus Chicago

Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa looked sharp in his first outing of the 2021 season.

While Justin Fields was the talk of the game, the Miami Dolphins also had a quarterback debuting in the preseason. Tua Tagovailoa obviously started some games last season, but didn’t get to have a regular offseason after getting drafted in 2020. He got back on the field today after a minicamp and full training camp.

Tagovailoa and the Dolphins went three-and-out on their first drive, with Tagovailoa feeling some pressure and panicking with a throwaway. However, things settled down as the game went on, and he built some rhythm.

Tagovailoa found Mike Gesicki for a 50 yard pitch and catch, showing very good touch on the football. That drive led to a field goal. He also challenged some defensive backs with tight window throws, and looked calm and poised in the pocket, making quick decisions and placing the football well on throws outside the numbers and to the intermediate part of the field. Tagovailoa really looked sharp on several drives.

Obviously, the one big miscue, an interception in the red zone, really hurts. It falls on Tagovailoa, who believed in his arm a little too much to make a throw in front of safety DeAndre Houston-Carson. Knowing he doesn’t have the elite velocity to challenge windows like that will be important for his development going forward.

It wasn’t a perfect outing, but Tua Tagovailoa was sharp. What was most important was to see Tagovailoa continue to trust his eyes, trust his receivers and tight ends to make plays down the field, and trust that he has the talent to throw it deep. A full offseason surely looks like it’s paying off to this point, and it will be great to see him get more reps throughout the preseason leading into his second season for the Miami Dolphins.