Dolphins' Mike McDaniel addresses fiery Tua Tagovailoa comments about teammates

Shortly after the Miami Dolphins fell to 1-5 on the season via a 29-27 home loss to the Los Angeles Chargers (4-2) on Sunday, Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa publicly called out teammates who have either failed to attend players-only meetings or were late for such conversations in recent weeks. 

Per Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel later addressed Tagovailoa's revelations that raised eyebrows among members of the NFL community.

Tua Tagovailoa was trying to "lead" with latest comments about Dolphins

"Player-led meetings are extra things outside of what I demand," McDaniel explained. "They’ve been very accountable to me. It sounds like there was something on his mind with regard to the specific meetings, with a couple individuals that he was trying to get corrected with direct communication. I think that’s the only way to lead."

McDaniel was the subject of hot-seat rumors after he failed to guide the Dolphins to a single playoff win over his first three seasons in charge. In September, a bombshell report touched upon some of the alleged culture issues that have impacted the Dolphins' locker room during McDaniel's tenure.

One part of that story shared that Miami "players were often late to practice and meetings" last season. Such problems resulted in the Dolphins parting ways with big-name talents such as cornerback Jalen Ramsey, tight end Jonnu Smith and safety Jevon Holland during the offseason. 

For a piece published Monday, one unnamed veteran coach from another team told Mike Sando of The Athletic that it seems the Dolphins are lacking "a dynamic leader" this fall. McDaniel suggested Tagovailoa can be that figure for a Miami team that thus far has only earned a victory over the winless New York Jets this season. 

Tua Tagovailoa was "sending a message" with comments about Dolphins players

"As far as where we’ve been at as a program, I think we’ve opened the air on all of that, and it’s very clear how we be accountable and what’s non-negotiable," McDaniel added about Tagovailoa's comments. "Clearly, he’s sending a message. But from my standpoint, everything that I’ve asked of the guys, they’ve delivered on. So I’m sure whoever he’s talking to, they’ll deliver as well, as he’s a direct communicator with his teammates."  

Tagovailoa and the Dolphins next play at the struggling Cleveland Browns (1-5) on Oct. 19. As of Monday morning, ESPN BET had Miami as a 2.5-point underdog for that matchup.