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Former NFL QB Predicts Bad News For Tua Tagovailoa

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Kevin Matthew Borba | Last updated May 8, 2025 2:38 PM ET

Former Alabama star Tua Tagovailoa was once viewed as a generational college football quarterback with NFL fans calling for their favorite team to tank years in advance.

He ended up going No. 5 overall to the Miami Dolphins in the 2020 NFL Draft, and has had himself a unique career. When healthy, he is a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback who can light up any defense in the NFL. However, health has been a significant concern over the past few seasons, as he has played in just 64 games in five seasons.

In addition to having issues being available at all times, Tagovailoa has also struggled in big games as he has a 1-9 record as a starter against teams above .500. A couple of reasons that CBS analyst and former NFL quarterback Danny Kanell revealed that he thinks time is ticking for the southpaw in South Beach.

"Yes, absolutely," Kanell said when asked if time was ticking for Tagovailoa. "And as a franchise quarterback, especially now that he did get the big deal and he's paid as a top quarterback in the league, those expectations ramp up. Unfortunately, I think the playoff win drought continues. It's been 24 years since the Dolphins saw a victory in the playoffs. They're 0-5 since 2000, and unfortunately, I think some of that falls on Tua."

Kanell also put some of the blame on head coach Mike McDaniel, for allowing the team to not be as mentally tough as needed. However, Kanell also expressed that he wishes the Dolphins made a splashy addition at running back to take pressure off of Tagovailoa, similar to the Philadelphia Eagles adding Saquon Barkley or the Baltimore Ravens adding Derrick Henry.

Tagovailoa is 40-24 as a starter in Miami, with an 0-1 postseason record as he missed the team's other playoff appearance in 2022. It's unclear if the Dolphins agree that the Tagovailoa's time is ticking, but it's hard to imagine the heat won't ramp up even more if the team's drought contiues.

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

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