The evolving narrative between Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and former head coach Brian Flores has taken the NFL world by storm. This drama, which began during their time together in Miami, has seen a new layer added with Tagovailoa's recent public criticism of Flores.
Tagovailoa, selected fifth overall by the Dolphins in the 2020 NFL Draft, has been candid about the challenges during his rookie year under Flores. Reflecting on the period, Tagovailoa painted a picture of a fractured relationship that had significant implications on his performance and morale. "To put it in the simplest terms, if you woke up every morning and I told you that you suck at what you did, that you don't belong doing what you do, that you shouldn't be here, that this guy should be here, that you haven't earned this. And then you have somebody else come in and tell you, 'Dude, you are the best fit for this. You're accurate. You're the best whatever, you're this, you're that.' How would it make you feel listening to one or the other?"
The backdrop to this tension involved whispers that Flores had a preference for quarterback Justin Herbert over Tagovailoa during the draft—a decision ultimately made by Dolphins GM Chris Grier. Herbert, who found a home with the Los Angeles Chargers, has since become one of the league's prominent young quarterbacks, further fueling the comparisons and speculations surrounding Tagovailoa’s draft selection.
Early Career Struggles
Tagovailoa's introduction to the NFL was anything but smooth. His first appearance came in a Week 6 matchup against the New York Jets, and by Week 8, he was starting against the Los Angeles Rams. However, the season was a roller coaster. Flores substituted veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick for Tagovailoa during the fourth quarter of a Week 11 game against the Denver Broncos and again in Week 16 against the Las Vegas Raiders. These moves underscored the apparent lack of confidence Flores had in his young quarterback.
The 2021 season brought further distractions with reports about the Dolphins' interest in trading for Deshaun Watson, adding another layer of insecurity for Tagovailoa. Flores' tenure came to an end in January 2022 after a 9-8 season, marking a turbulent phase for both the coach and quarterback.
A New Chapter
With Flores' departure and the arrival of new head coach Mike McDaniel, Tagovailoa’s career trajectory took a positive turn. Under McDaniel’s guidance, the young quarterback flourished, leading the NFL in passer rating in 2022 and passing yards in 2023. McDaniel's affirmation and support played a crucial role in Tagovailoa's resurgence. “We’re gonna have an extensive professional relationship, my man. One thing I know about you is, you have the ambition to be great. My job is to coach you to get all that greatness out of you… This is an awesome day for me, and I'm damn sure gonna make sure that when you look back on this day, you're gonna be like, 'Damn, that was one of the best days of my career, too.' But I'll earn that from you, you got me?”
Tagovailoa reciprocated the confidence, acknowledging the impact of a supportive environment. "I just feel like there are so many things that have happened. There are a lot of changes, and a lot of good changes, I guess, with the people that we've picked up and the guys that we've acquired as well. The locker room feels different,” he remarked, hinting at the cultural shift within the team. This newfound stability and encouragement culminated in Tagovailoa celebrating his first Pro Bowl nod, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Flores' Response
Flores, now serving as a linebackers coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers, has also reflected on the criticism and its impact on him. "Look, I'm human. So that hit me in a way that wasn't positive for me. But at the same time, I've got to use that and say, 'Hey, how can I grow from that? How can I be better?' And that's really where I'm at from that standpoint. Do I feel like that's me? No. But how can I grow from that situation and create a world where that's not the case that anyone says that about Brian Flores?” Flores’ response indicates his intent to learn and evolve from past experiences, even as he supports the Steelers in their own quest for success.
Tagovailoa's journey, from the early struggles under Flores to his professional rejuvenation under McDaniel, underscores the complex dynamics between player and coach. The support of a head coach can be pivotal, a fact Tagovailoa acknowledges full well. "I think support for any of us as players means a lot. We understand that the NFL is a tough industry. It's tough to play because you're playing against the best every Sunday. But to be able to have support of the head coach, the head guy, that should tell you a lot.”
As the Dolphins look ahead, the lessons from this chapter are clear: leadership, support, and belief in players can make all the difference in the fiercely competitive world of the NFL.