The NFL world has recently been captivated by the unfolding drama between two significant figures: Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and former head coach Brian Flores. Tagovailoa's candid criticism of Flores has sparked intense scrutiny and debate.
The Criticism and Fallout
Tagovailoa did not mince his words when describing his tumultuous relationship with Flores. At a press conference, he expressed, “To put it in the simplest terms, if you woke up every morning and I told you that you suck at what you did, that you don't belong doing what you do, that you shouldn't be here, that this guy should be here, that you haven't earned this. And then you have somebody else come in and tell you, 'Dude, you are the best fit for this. You're accurate. You're the best whatever, you're this, you're that.' How would it make you feel listening to one or the other?”
Flores, now a linebackers coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers, responded thoughtfully to the criticism. “Look, I'm human. So that hit me in a way that wasn't positive for me. But at the same time, I've got to use that and say, 'Hey, how can I grow from that? How can I be better?' And that's really where I'm at from that standpoint. Do I feel like that's me? No. But how can I grow from that situation and create a world where that's not the case that anyone says that about Brian Flores?”
The Draft and Decisions
The saga between Tagovailoa and Flores traces back to the 2020 NFL Draft. Tagovailoa was picked fifth overall by the Dolphins, a decision made by Dolphins GM Chris Grier amidst whispers that Flores had a preference for Justin Herbert, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers. Tagovailoa recalls those early days and the challenges he faced proving his worth on the team.
Tagovailoa didn't get his first taste of NFL action until a Week 6 matchup against the New York Jets during the 2020 season and made his first start by Week 8 against the Los Angeles Rams. However, his journey was far from straightforward. In Week 11 against the Denver Broncos and Week 16 against the Las Vegas Raiders, Flores substituted Tagovailoa with veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Transition and New Beginnings
The Dolphins' interest in trading for Deshaun Watson during the 2021 season further complicated the situation. It seemed clear that the franchise was exploring other options at the quarterback position. Brian Flores' tenure concluded in January 2022 after a 9-8 season, marking the end of a turbulent period for the Dolphins.
Mike McDaniel was named the new head coach of the Miami Dolphins, signaling a new direction for the team. McDaniel's approach to coaching Tagovailoa has been markedly different. “We're gonna have an extensive professional relationship, my man. One thing I know about you is, you have the ambition to be great. My job is to coach you to get all that greatness out of you… This is an awesome day for me, and I'm damn sure gonna make sure that when you look back on this day, you're gonna be like, 'Damn, that was one of the best days of my career, too.' But I'll earn that from you, you got me?”
Success Under McDaniel
Under McDaniel’s guidance, Tagovailoa has flourished. During the 2022 season, he led the NFL in passer rating and continued his upward trajectory by topping passing yards in 2023. This improvement was punctuated by his first Pro Bowl nod, a significant milestone in any player's career.
Reflecting on the changes, Tagovailoa expressed satisfaction with the new environment: “I just feel like there are so many things that have happened. There are a lot of changes, and a lot of good changes, I guess, with the people that we've picked up and the guys that we've acquired as well. The locker room feels different.”
The Importance of Support
Tagovailoa also detailed how essential it is to have support from the head coach in an industry as competitive as the NFL. “I think support for any of us as players means a lot. We understand that the NFL is a tough industry. It's tough to play because you're playing against the best every Sunday. But to be able to have support of the head coach, the head guy, that should tell you a lot.”
The journey of Tua Tagovailoa from the 2020 NFL Draft to his current success with the Miami Dolphins underscores the importance of coaching, support, and resilience in professional sports. As Tagovailoa continues to thrive under the guidance of Mike McDaniel, the lessons learned from his earlier challenges with Brian Flores remain an integral part of his growth and development as a top-tier NFL quarterback.