Tua Tagovailoa gets his way over Mike McDaniel to notch a preseason moment that he hadn't had in four years

Miami Dolphins franchise QB Tua Tagovailoa hadn't seen the field in a preseason opener in a quite a while. 2021, to be exact.

However, that changed on Sunday, when the Dolphins opened up their preseason slate against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Tagovailoa started the game with the Dolphins' starting offense, and it appears that might not have been the plan coming into the game.

According to the NFL Network broadcast, Tagovailoa played in the game after convincing head coach Mike McDaniel to let him play.

Tagovailoa - and the offense for that matter - didn't have the best day on Friday during the joint practice between the Dolphins and Bears, throwing three interceptions on the day.

However, Tagovailoa and the offense moved well on Saturday, going on a methodical 15-play, 54-yard drive that got the Dolphins down to the 1-yard line. That said, problems from previous years resurfaced when the Dolphins' offensive line couldn't get enough push to get RB Jaylen Wright into the end zone, who was stuffed on three straight runs inside the 5-yard line to turn the ball over on downs.

Still, it was an encouraging first look for Tagovailoa in 2025, as he was accurate and in rhythm, particularly with WR Malik Washington, who he connected with four times on the drive. Tua finished 5-6 for 27 yards in his sole drive.

The Dolphins lead 7-0 early in the second quarter.