What is Happening to Tua?

Another sad Monday for Miami Dolphins fans. A heartbreaking loss to the Chargers all but sealed the fate for the 2025 season. By now, the game has been dissected to death. Blame goes all around on this one. However, it is what occurred after the game that adds another layer of discussion for this disastrous season.

During his post-game press conference, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said, “I think it starts with the leadership, and helping articulate that for the guys, and what we’re expecting out of the guys. Right? We’re expecting this, are we getting that, are we not getting that? We have guys showing up to players-only meetings late, guys not showing up to players-only meetings, like, there’s a lot that goes into that. Do we have to make this mandatory, do we not have to make this mandatory? It’s a lot of things of that nature that we got to get cleaned up, and it starts with the little things like that.”

While many fans have argued against Tua being the Dolphins’ quarterback since he was first drafted, no one can deny that he is usually pretty good at the podium. He will take responsibility for losses, defend his coaches and teammates, and ignore social media nonsense.

At times, he will become “Salty Tua,” as Rich Eisen likes to call him, and speak out against those who criticize him.

Mostly, though, he is pretty diplomatic and respectful at the podium. Here, he is pretty much acting out of character. Perhaps frustration with his career at this point is reaching a boiling point for the captain and face of the franchise.

His comments about the player-only meetings will be discussed ad nauseam this week for sure. The first thing that jumps to mind is, why make this public? These sorts of things are handled in the locker room. Perhaps an attempt to take the heat off Mike McDaniel? To take the heat off of his play this season?

After a game where he threw three interceptions (although the first was really on Jalen Waddle) it looks like he is trying to deflect the loss on to teammates. Such an ill-timed statement could haunt him this season. Remember him saying “show me the money” into a microphone at training camp last year? He most certainly regretted that throughout the poor 2024 season.

His comment has been highly criticized on social media by many former NFL players. The harshest is probably from former Cowboy Dez Bryant. “I want to know what part of this he’s going to take accountability for. Tua threw three picks today. Tua is third in the NFL with the most interceptions thrown by a quarterback. If you haven’t said this privately first, then in the media, I don’t respect it. And since we are on the topic of respect. I guarantee a lot of the players don’t respect Tua. Tua points the finger and literally has four pointing back at him. If you want to win, put Ewers in.”

Ouch.

Tua’s play on the field this year has been subpar to say the least. His crazy cap hit will likely save him for next season. Barring some sort of turn around, his clock as a Miami Dolphin is ticking.