Dolphins' Darren Waller has theory about struggles of Tua Tagovailoa

The Miami Dolphins seem ready to part ways with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after he was benched in favor of rookie Quinn Ewers late this season and after Dolphins owner Stephen Ross relieved head coach Mike McDaniel of his duties earlier this month. 

Tight end Darren Waller shared a locker room and an offense with Tagovailoa during the 2025 campaign. During the latest edition of the "Glory Daze with Johnny Manziel" podcast, Waller offered a theory for why Tagovailoa struggled during what may go down as his final season with the Dolphins. 

Is Tua Tagovailoa damaged goods due to injury history?

"I’m watching this man throw darts every practice," Waller said about Tagovailoa, per Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. "It was just like, 'What the f--- am I watching?' I had never seen the anticipation and the accuracy out there. From my standpoint, the skill set for him is still there. What I think some of the disconnect comes from, seeing it translate, I think there could be some trauma still stored in his body from what he’s gone through with the head injuries."

Waller was referencing how Tagovailoa suffered three reported concussions from the start of the 2022 season through the end of the 2024 campaign. Tagovailoa also missed the final two games of the 2024 season due to a hip injury. 

That StatMuse website shows that Tagovailoa finished this past regular season responsible for the third-most giveaways (16) in the NFL. Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks committed a league-high 20 turnovers over 17 games, while Tagovailoa appeared in only 14 contests. 

Darren Waller shares some advice for Tua Tagovailoa

"I can notice him trying to make things happen in the game," Waller added about Tagovailoa. 'He’s trying to pull the trigger, but it’s like his body, his system, won’t let him do it. I think if there’s a way for him to find some healing in that regard, I think the skill set is still there." 

While things often change quickly in the NFL, it appears as of the middle of January that Tagovailoa will soon receive his desired "fresh start" elsewhere. That said, it's unlikely any team would immediately name him its QB1 ahead of training camp.