Can Tua Save His Career Against The Dolphins?

Can Tua Save His Career Against The Dolphins?

I’m not usually one who looks forward to the final preseason game. Most of the time, it is populated by players who will, at best, be fringe contributors and more likely will be out of a job next week. This week is different, though, as the Dolphins are facing off against the Atlanta Falcons in what could be a make-or-break game for former Dolphins and current Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. 

Tua was released from Miami earlier this offseason and signed a one-year $1.215 million contract with Atlanta to compete for the starting job with Michael Penix Jr., who is rehabbing from a torn ACL. Due to Penix’s injury, it seemed like Tua was likely to be the starter heading into the season, but his poor play in practice and the preseason might prevent him from making Atlanta’s roster altogether. Mike Florio questioned Tua’s place on Atlanta’s roster earlier this week. 

“What does all of that say about their feelings regarding Tua Tagovailoa? Shouldn’t he be the starter by now? And if he hasn’t won the starting job by now, you have to wonder whether or not he’s even gonna be on the roster by Monday,” 

This creates a very interesting viewing experience for Miami fans. If you’re like me, you were someone who believed in Tua as the future of the quarterback position for the Dolphins. So his fall from grace and relevance has been tough to watch. I truly believe that injuries robbed Tua of what he could have been, but there is a legitimate argument that he stopped training as hard after he got his four-year $212.4 million contract. 

So in a way, tonight’s game can be cathartic for Dolphins fans who were fed up with everything surrounding Tua. In fact, we’re having debates about whether or not fans should boo Tua. In my opinion, if you’re paying to watch a meaningless preseason game in what is surely going to be a season where Miami is noncompetitive, then you have every right to boo whoever you please. 

It is kind of poetic that Tua’s career might come down to how well he plays against his former team. For Tua fans, it could be a moment of great triumph, a victory over his past as he moves forward trying to rebuild his career. For Tua’s haters, it could be the final nail in the coffin for a player who ultimately didn’t deliver on the potential he had coming out of college. A man who had some great highlights but was never able to lead Miami to a playoff win. 

Regardless of where you stand on Tua, you must admit that this is one of the more compelling preseason games we’ve had in a very long time.

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