Dolphins' Star Tua Tagovailoa Receives Blunt Message From Anonymous Critic

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Arnab Mondal | Last updated Aug 12, 2025 8:10 AM ET

Tua Tagovailoa doesn’t need to scroll social media to hear the critics. This one came from inside the league. And it wasn’t sugar-coated at all.

The Dolphins quarterback just took a hit, not from a linebacker, but from an anonymous offensive coach who dropped a blunt verdict on his value. “They literally cannot operate the offense when he is not out there, and then they are a top-10 offense when he is,” the coach told reporters. “I don’t even like watching him play, but at this point, I can’t say you are not that guy.” No name, but no hesitation either.

: An anonymous offensive coach on #Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa, via Mike Sando:

“They literally cannot operate the offense when he is not out there, and then they are a top-10 offense when he is. I don’t even like watching him play, but at this point, I can’t say… pic.twitter.com/AOudzFIYPh
— JPA Football (@jasrifootball) August 11, 2025

That comment comes after a rough stretch for Tagovailoa. Three concussions in three years already raise questions about his durability. This preseason hasn’t helped. Against the Bears, he opened sharp, hitting five of six throws. Then the wheels fell off. Three interceptions. Two sacks in a row. A red-zone pick. By the time backup Zach Wilson took over, the offense had lost all energy.

A Growing Dilemma for Mike McDaniel

Mike McDaniel has cut Tagovailoa’s preseason snaps each year. Fifteen in 2022. Thirteen in 2023. Only five so far in 2024. He calls it protection. Critics wonder if it’s holding him back. The numbers tell one story: Miami is 40-24 with Tua and 7-13 without him. The postseason tells another: no playoff wins beyond the wild card round.

Joint practices haven’t eased concerns. Against Chicago, Tagovailoa threw three picks, missed open throws and struggled under disguised coverages. He admitted the results were “bad” but said the reps matter. Still, time is ticking. Chemistry with receivers won’t build itself, and every snap skipped is a chance lost. McDaniel now faces a balancing act that could define the Dolphins’ season: keep Tagovailoa safe or sharpen him for the battles ahead.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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