The Final Straw for McDaniel with Tua

The Final Straw for McDaniel with Tua

The Miami Dolphins are once again the topic of discussion this week with the benching of Tua Tagovailoa in favor of 7th-round pick Quinn Ewers. The reason for Tua’s benching has been discussed on every sports network, and while much speculation is going on, the bottom line is that his play stinks. He started the year looking off his usual game and has gotten progressively worse.

His performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers was terrible. That, combined with his actions during and after the game, may have been the final straw for Head Coach Mike McDaniel. With 1:54 left in the game, which they were about to lose, Tua and center Aaron Brewer were seen on the sidelines laughing it up. After the game, Tua and former Dolphin Jalen Ramsey were on the field clowning around and laughing about something.  Everyone else had gone to the locker rooms. This is not a good picture.

Former Houston Texan JJ Watt was very critical of this scene. And rightly so. He referred to “optics” as being important. They are.

The last thing a very disgruntled fan base wants to see is their failing quarterback having a good time immediately after an embarrassing loss. Once the game is over, does this behavior change anything? Of course not. But perception is critical. This was not a quick hug after the game with a short chuckle and then moving on.

To be seen bent over and belly-laughing with him for quite a while right after this loss did not do well for Tua, who has been the subject of criticism for blaming bad play on teammates. Plus, Jalen Ramsey is not held in high regard right now in Dolphins Nation.

He was a problem in the locker room, criticized his head coach, strong-armed the team into an extension, and then demanded a trade. The trade he got was to the team that just beat the Dolphins.  Once again, statements Tua has made in the past, such as “show me the money” and “heavy is the crown,” are resurfacing as his future in Miami is very much in question. Mike McDaniel, whose future is also in question, might not have appreciated his quarterback’s casual attitude after a loss.

Even Tua’s harshest critics will give him credit for his professionalism. He is always poised at the podium. Until this year, he would accept the blame for a team loss.

He has said many times that the buck stops with him. Yes, he has made some comments he should not have, but they are more the exception than the norm. However, when you know you are not playing to your standard (which he has admitted), you need to be twice as concerned about your image.

The entire NFL world, and your fan base, is watching your every move. When you are winning and playing well, you can get away with anything. When you are losing and leading the league in interceptions, you have to be careful with everything you say and do.