NFL: Predicting the week one starting quarterback for all 32 teams
By Kyle Edmond
Miami Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa
A few months ago this answer probably would have been very different. In Tua Tagovailoa’s first five starts this season, the Miami Dolphins were just 1-4. Then, he went on a tear and won six straight, including seven of the last eight that he played in. Needless to say, he bought himself another year.
The reality for Tua is that he’s been fighting an uphill battle his entire NFL career, however short it might be at this point. He came into the league with high expectations and coming off an injury that some thought could end his professional career before it started. Then the rumors of a trade for Deshaun Watson mixed with a slow start put him even further behind in the eyes of fans.
The reality is, Tua and the Dolphins have had success. Miami has a winning record in both of his seasons when looking at games he has started. In 2020 he was 6-3 as a starter and in 2021 he was 7-5. The only concern now is keeping him on the field.
Starting 21 out of a possible 33 isn’t great. Some of those aren’t from injuries necessarily, but you still need more consistency than that at the quarterback position. Entering his third season, there’s still plenty of time for Tua to prove himself and he’s on the right track, but staying healthy will be key moving forward.