Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel offers big update on belief in Tua Tagovailoa

The fact that Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel had to confirm this past Monday that he was sticking with Tua Tagovailoa as his starting quarterback for the club's Week 8 game at the Atlanta Falcons (3-3) said plenty about the state of the 1-6 Dolphins this fall. 

While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, McDaniel touched upon his relationship with Tagovailoa amid ongoing rumors suggesting the franchise could move on from both men in early 2026. 

Does Mike McDaniel have any "uncertainty" regarding Tua Tagovailoa?

"I would say we had a great hour and a half meeting yesterday," McDaniel said about Tagovailoa, per Hal Habib of The Palm Beach Post. "We had a great meeting the day before, as Tua and I have always operated. I would say there's zero uncertainty with Tua on my conviction in him. So I think we're both very, very eager to do better at our jobs."

As it pertains to just on-the-field matters, Tagovailoa was one of the most disappointing starting quarterbacks of the season's first seven weeks. StatMuse shows he has committed a campaign-worst 11 total turnovers since Week 1. According to ESPN, Tagovailoa ranks 28th out of 33 qualified passers with a 42.5 adjusted QBR on the season. 

Tagovailoa tossed three interceptions in Miami's 31-6 loss at the lowly Cleveland Browns this past Sunday. Nevertheless, McDaniel still believes his current QB1 can be part of the solution for a Miami team that may become a big seller before the Nov. 4 trade deadline arrives. 

"I have confidence based on my history with him that he'll respond in the appropriate manner," McDaniel added about Tagovailoa. 

Is Mike McDaniel worried Dolphins players have "checked out" amid losing season?

Some in NFL circles have speculated that the Dolphins could fire McDaniel if they fall to 1-8 after their "Thursday Night Football" matchup versus the Baltimore Ravens on Oct. 30. Such chatter could cause outsiders to wonder if some Miami players have already "checked out" on what appears to be a lost season for the organization. 

"My confidence comes from direct communication from them," McDaniel said. "Not in meeting form but on ground floor of the facility, whether it's 5:45 this morning or 5 p.m. yesterday. The players on their player day off or on this day, a day of business, they're very focused on the Atlanta Falcons."

As of Wednesday afternoon, ESPN BET had the Dolphins as 7.5-point road underdogs against the Falcons. If that game turns into a laugher, McDaniel may feel he has no other choice but to sit Tagovailoa until further notice.