In a surprising turn of events this offseason, Tua Tagovailoa has become the center of some questionable criticism despite his impressive achievements last season. Despite leading the NFL in passing yards, the Miami Dolphins’ quarterback has seen his fair share of skeptics, with the recent quarterback rankings by Chris Simms adding fuel to the fire. Instead of securing a spot within the top 10, Tagovailoa has been ranked at No. 18, a decision that has left many baffled.
The critique doesn’t stop with Simms. Tagovailoa’s placement behind quarterbacks like Brock Purdy, Kyler Murray, and Baker Mayfield has sparked debate, especially given his outstanding performance last season coupled with the dynamic duo of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle at his disposal.
Tagovailoa, a former first-round pick, is anticipated to build on his last season’s success, especially after shedding 10-15 pounds in the offseason. This weight loss is aimed at enhancing his mobility and agility, though not without its detractors, with figures like PFT’s Mike Florio chiming in with criticisms about Tagovailoa’s slimmer physique.
Despite the noise, Tagovailoa remains focused on the upcoming season, where he’s expected to prove his doubters wrong. With a significant contract extension on the horizon, courtesy of general manager Chris Grier, Tagovailoa is poised to be compensated as one of the league’s premier quarterbacks. Yet, this move is likely to draw skepticism, potentially being labeled as an overpayment by the Dolphins.
Nonetheless, this scenario could serve as additional motivation for Tagovailoa to excel further and demonstrate why he deserves such faith and investment from the Miami Dolphins. As we inch closer to the regular season, all eyes will be on Tagovailoa, waiting to see if he can outdo his previous performances and silence his critics once and for all.