Buccaneers' Tom Brady, Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa chat during joint practice

Early this month, the Miami Dolphins were stripped of two draft picks for violating NFL tampering rules regarding Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady and former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton. 

This reality understandably could make things awkward for current Miami starting signal-caller Tua Tagovailoa, who was reportedly nearly replaced via a trade for then-Houston Texans star Deshaun Watson on multiple occasions last year and who now knows at least some within the Dolphins wanted Brady atop the depth chart this summer. 

Last week, Tagovailoa noted: "I think the team’s all-in with me and all the guys that we have now." 

That was before the Dolphins and Buccaneers participated in joint practices ahead of Saturday's preseason opener between the clubs. 

According to Adam H. Beasley of Pro Football Network, Tagovailoa said following Wednesday's session that he spent some time chatting with the seven-time Super Bowl champion. 

"I was able to talk to Tom," Tagovailoa remarked. "We were talking on the side for a good bit. He was asking how the offseason was. We were talking a little about golf at the same time. For the most part, 23 years playing, that’s a long time. That’s a lot of knowledge. I was asking him some things. He gave me some good insight. I’m going to keep that between me and Tom." 

Tagovailoa likely has nothing to fear from Brady as it pertains to job security, as the 45-year-old is on track to join Fox Sports as its lead NFL analyst perhaps as soon as February if he's ready to truly retire at that point. However, Miami's QB1 can't feel too great about his status with the organization considering all that occurred over the past year or so, but Tagovailoa could cement his status as the team's long-term answer at the position by having a stellar 2022 season.