Tua Is Still The Greatest QB The Miami Dolphins Have Had Since Dan Marino

Tua Is Still The Greatest QB The Miami Dolphins have had Since Dan Marino

When the Miami Dolphins drafted Tua Tagovailoa in 2020, expectations were sky-high. Fans dreamed of finally finding “the next Marino” — a quarterback who could lift the franchise out of decades of mediocrity and make the Dolphins relevant again. And whether you like him or not, Tua is still the best quarterback the Dolphins have had since Dan Marino.

Statistically, the numbers speak for themselves. Tua continues to rank near the top of the league in both QBR and completion percentage — two of the most telling metrics when evaluating quarterback efficiency.

In 2023, he didn’t just play well; he led the NFL in passing yards, becoming the first Dolphins quarterback to do so since Marino accomplished that feat multiple times (1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, and 1992). For a franchise that has endured a revolving door of quarterbacks over the last two decades — from Jay Fiedler to Ryan Tannehill — Tua’s consistency and command of the offense have been a refreshing change.

Beyond the numbers, Tua has also helped lead the Dolphins to the playoffs in two of his five seasons as a starter. That alone puts him in rare company in modern Dolphins history and should not be ignored.

What we’ve learned about him is simple: if you give him what a quick, rhythm-based RPO quarterback needs, he can execute the offense at an exceptionally high level. He needs an offensive line that can open lanes for the running game and create clean pockets for the passing game. You can’t give him a one-dimensional offense, because he’s limited in how he can attack defenses.

Tua’s biggest handicap is that he’s not Josh Allen — or any of the other elite, physically imposing quarterbacks who can drag a flawed roster to victory. His game is built on timing, rhythm, and precision, not improvisation and brute strength. If the offense isn’t in sync — or if even one receiver is off — it can derail the entire operation.

The 2025 season has been a testament to what happens when you ask him to make up for a poor offensive line, an ineffective running game, and one of the league’s worst defenses, especially against the run.