Dolphins GM Chris Grier addresses future of QB Tua Tagovailoa

Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel appear to be on the same page regarding the future of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

"I would say, with Tua, he’s our starting quarterback. So, I don’t know how we could say it any more clearly," Grier told reporters on Monday, according to Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. 

Following Sunday's 34-31 playoff loss at the Buffalo Bills, McDaniel sounded committed to keeping Tagovailoa his starter despite the signal-caller's injury issues throughout the 2022 season. Grier added on Monday that "talking with the doctors and consultants" has led the Dolphins to believe Tagovailoa will be "100%" and "ready to go" for the 2023 campaign. 

"But he is our starting quarterback and will be next season," Grier said about the 24-year-old. 

Tagovailoa seemed to avoid a serious physical setback in September but then went down with a concussion during Miami's Week 4 "Thursday Night Football" loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. He entered the concussion protocol again following the Christmas Day game against the Green Bay Packers and missed the following two contests and the postseason matchup in Buffalo. 

A first-round pick from the 2020 NFL Draft, Tagovailoa is eligible for a contract extension, and the Dolphins have until May to decline or exercise the fifth-year option attached to his rookie deal. That option would allow the franchise to buy additional time to determine if it wants to make a long-term commitment to somebody with a worrisome injury history. 

It was reported last week that the Dolphins could pursue Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady for a second-consecutive offseason. Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio noted at that time that Tagovailoa is due to make $4.738 million in 2023 and, thus, theoretically could remain on Miami's roster as a backup if Brady wishes to take his talents to South Beach and the Dolphins want the G.O.A.T. for at least one campaign before he rides off into the sunset of retirement.