Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Parents of Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa give update on his playing career

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 1/26/23

The parents of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa have said he's continuing his playing career and returning to the Miami Dolphins later this year.

"Oh, he comes back," Galu Tagovailoa, Tua's father, told Rob DeMello and Alan Hoshida of KHON2 News out of Honolulu, as shared by Marek Brave of The Phinsider. "He comes back. That’s their guy, you know what I’m saying? I mean, they love him. We love them and what they’re doing — how they’re helping him with his recovery and everything else. Trying to get him back."

Tua Tagovailoa emerged as a legitimate Most Valuable Player candidate starting under Dolphins first-year head coach Mike McDaniel but also suffered at least two concussions this past regular season. Tagovailoa most recently entered the concussion protocol after a loss to the Green Bay Packers on Christmas Day and wasn't able to return to action before Miami lost at the Buffalo Bills in the wild-card round of the playoffs.

Somewhat worrisome, Galu Tagovailoa said that his son is still "going through" what is presumed to be the concussion protocol:

Tua Tagovailoa’s parents express gratitude for overwhelming support from #Hawaii and beyond throughout Tua’s adversities this past season, have no doubts that he will return as #Dolphins quarterback in 2023 #NFLHawaii @TuaFoundation @PolynesianFBHOF @AHoshidaSports pic.twitter.com/RaZaPhUOg9
— Rob DeMello (@RobDeMelloKHON) January 26, 2023

Speculation arose as far back as this fall that Tua Tagovailoa, 24, could consider an early retirement due to concerns related to serious head injuries and chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. However, McDaniel and Dolphins general manager Chris Grier both insisted following the playoff loss in Buffalo that a healthy Tagovailoa will be their QB1 next season.

Miami nevertheless has been linked in stories and rumors with Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady. It's known Dolphins owner Stephen M. Ross wanted to acquire Brady last winter, and the seven-time Super Bowl champion is set to hit free agency when the new league year opens in March.

Brady hasn't yet confirmed his plans for the 2023 campaign but theoretically could start over Tagovailoa for a single season. Grier and the Miami front office have until May to exercise or decline the fifth-year option attached to Tagovailoa's rookie contract.

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