Teammate: Tagovailoa 'in the business of proving people wrong'

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

Dolphins teammate: Tua Tagovailoa is 'in the business of proving people wrong'

By Max Steele | Last updated 9/27/23

Despite dropping 70 points in Week 3, the undefeated Dolphins and QB Tua Tagovailoa have more to prove.

On "The Rich Eisen Show" Tuesday, Miami RB Raheem Mostert, who had a whopping four touchdowns and 142 total yards in the blowout win over the Broncos, described how Tagovailoa remains fueled by skeptics despite a historic start.

"He wants to prove people wrong. He's always in the business of proving people wrong, and he's doing a hell of a job doing that," Mostert said. "He lets his play do the talking. People say he can't throw a deep ball, and then there's a 60-yard bomb to him and Tyreek [Hill]."

@RMos_8Ball

We are always pushing for more #SaltyTua around these parts, so we had to ask the #FinsUp running back about his QB's hot start:#NFL pic.twitter.com/aX9ZfxukRT
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) September 26, 2023

Tagovailoa has been spectacular through three games, throwing for 1,024 yards and eight touchdowns with two interceptions. The 25-year-old has soared up Pro Football Focus' rankings, now atop lists as the highest-graded QB and NFL MVP favorite. Going into the season, he ranked 11th in the MVP race.

Tua Tagovailoa ranks this season

NFL rank
Wins 3 t-1st
Pass Rating 121.9 1st
TD/att. 7.9% 1st
Yards/att. 10.1 1st
Yards/comp. 14.2 1st

he's doing it again, you guys pic.twitter.com/9RscVnwqDu
— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) September 25, 2023

The 2020 first-round pick has faced legitimacy concerns throughout his short career, as he's yet to win a playoff game and struggled with injuries — including multiple major concussions last season that made him consider an early retirement.

Pundits have criticized everything from Tagovailoa's arm strength to worth ethic to physique. During training camp, ESPN analyst Ryan Clark said the Dolphins QB was spending more time getting tattoos than getting in shape, in which Tagovailoa responded he should "keep my name out of your mouth."

Tagovailoa's hot start has since made critics swallow their words, but he's still got a long way to go to prove his MVP worthiness. The three teams the Dolphins beat all have losing records going into Week 4, including the winless Broncos.

The true test will come this Sunday as Miami hits the road to face division-rival QB Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills (2-1) in what's shaping up to be the matchup of the week.