Tagovailoa provides alibi for lack of targets in Week 7 loss

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

Tua Tagovailoa provides alibi for lack of targets for Jaylen Waddle in Week 7 loss

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Oct 22, 2025 11:25 PM ET

It's too bad for the Miami Dolphins that quarterback Tua Tagovailoa can't suddenly grow three inches. He blames his inability to find open wide receivers on his height.

In a 31-6 Week 7 loss to the Cleveland Browns, Dolphins star WR Jaylen Waddle was targeted just four times, finishing with one reception for 15 yards. The 6-foot-1, 225-pound QB said his stature prevented him from targeting Waddle more.

Tagovailoa explains why his height is a problem

"Some of it has to do with being able to see guys, with their guys also up front and our guys," Tagovailoa told the media Wednesday. "And I'm not the tallest guy in the back there, either. So being able to see and then sometimes when that happens, you don't wanna throw it blindly, and you gotta progress. So I think that has some merit to reasons as to why that happened for Waddle."

Tagovailoa can't keep using height as an excuse

Tagovailoa should take notes on other successful short QBs, like Baker Mayfield of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Listed at 6-foot-1, the Buccaneers star ranks sixth in the league in passing yards (1,767) and is tied for sixth in passing touchdowns (13) through seven weeks.

#Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa said part of the reason he didn’t target Jaylen Waddle much vs. the #Browns was because he had trouble seeing him over the O-line and D-line:

“I’m not the tallest guy back there. Sometimes when that happens you don’t want to just throw it blindly.” pic.twitter.com/gxlJOADdjp
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 22, 2025

More importantly, he hasn't been making too many ill-advised throws, unlike Tagovailoa. The Dolphins signal-caller is tied with Las Vegas Raiders QB Geno Smith for the league lead in interceptions (10). Mayfield, meanwhile, has tossed only two picks.

Tagovailoa has made multiple head-scratching comments in front of the media this season. He came under fire for throwing teammates under the bus after a Week 6 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. And he was a little too honest when praising Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen before a Week 3 loss.

Tagovailoa's inability to filter himself has only added to the 1-6 Dolphins' embarrassment this season. The team could keep cratering in Week 8 against the Atlanta Falcons (3-3) if the vertically challenged QB's play doesn't improve significantly.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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