Have we already seen the peak of Tua Tagovailoa's NFL career?

In 2020, the Miami Dolphins pinned the hopes and dreams of the franchise on a promising young quarterback out of Alabama, Tua Tagovailoa. Since being drafted, Tagovailoa’s journey has been filled with ups and downs, During his time in the league, Tagovailoa has sparked debates across the NFL community. 

With his injury history over the last couple of years, one must wonder if Tagovailoa has reached his peak already or if his full potential is yet untapped. This is the burning question in the hearts of Dolphins fans and sports analysts alike.

Franchise savior

The 2020 season saw Tua step onto the NFL stage with a blend of poise and promise. It was a season of learning, marked by strategic plays and potential glimpses. His debut was not just another chapter in the Dolphins' playbook but a cause for new hope and finding what this organization has looked for since Dan Marino retired. A franchise quarterback. 

Over the next couple of seasons, Tagovailoa would grow as an NFL QB despite more ups and downs. From the days with Brian Flores and essentially being on the trade block repeatedly to now having Mike McDaniel’s full trust, Tagovailoa has been through a massive range of emotions in less than five years. 

The best ability is availability

Last season, Tagovailoa played and started all 17 of Miami’s games. This was the first time he’d played an entire NFL season wire to wire in his career. And it was by far his most productive as Tagovailoa passed for 4,624 yards, which led the league. He also threw 29 touchdowns, which tied him for fifth and also completed 69.3 percent of his passes, which was also near the top of the league.

However, like many other NFL players, concussions have been the bane of Tagovailoa’s existence in the league. With multiple occurrences during the 2022  campaign and this season, these injuries pose both physical and mental challenges. They raise questions about safety, performance sustainability and long-term health.

Concussions have become such a hot-button topic with Tagovailoa that any other injury almost seems minor no matter how bad it may be. It’s become such a serious matter for Tagovailoa that retirement has been discussed on multiple occasions.

In 2022, the Dolphins came under scrutiny for misdiagnosing what looked like a head injury Tagovailoa had sustained only to allow him re-entry into the game. Since Tagovailoa was “cleared” by medical staff he was allowed to play again four days later and suffered another concussion.

This season, Tagovailoa suffered another concussion in Week 2 against Buffalo and has not seen the field since. However, this time Tagovailoa will be kept out until at least Week 8 when the Dolphins play the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 27.

Can Tua bounce back?

Is it even worth is the first question that comes to mind when pondering another Tagovailoa return. Surely, he wants to fulfill that new four-year, $212.4M extension he signed recently. But at what cost? Tagovailoa has achieved generational wealth, but what’s the point if you can’t enjoy it with them? 

While his potential appears boundless, the narrative isn't without its challenges. Whether Tagovailoa has peaked or continues to climb is a debate that will rage on for some time. The answer might not be clear today, but as the season progresses, it will surely echo throughout stadiums and sports bars alike.