The Miami Dolphins are in a rough spot after starting the season 2-7, but are not giving up on their players.
Things have not gone well for the Dolphins this season. The team has lost three of its four games decided by one possession, and has been blown out three times this season. Miami’s defense has struggled to keep opponents out of the end zone, allowing 27 points per game, but the offense has struggled just as much punching it in themselves, with the Dolphins only scoring 20 points per game, both of which rank in the bottom third of the league.
Miami’s quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has taken a big step in the wrong direction this season. Tagovailoa was named a Pro Bowler in 2023, and was on his way toward another productive season last year, but injuries derailed his season. He has come back fully healthy this season, but leads the NFL in interceptions with 11, while only logging 1,779 passing yards and 15 touchdowns through nine weeks.
Tagovailoa’s decline has led to a lot of speculation whether the Dolphins would bench the 27-year-old quarterback, especially after getting blown out in two of the last three weeks. Head coach Mike McDaniel addressed reports that Tagovailoa could be benched later this season when speaking to the media Monday.
“I’m far from even going down that direction of would have, could have, possible things,” McDaniel said Monday in a video posted to X by FinsXtra. “We have a football game against the Buffalo Bills that we are certain that Tua gives us the best chance to win, and we have to approach our jobs with diligence and we have to execute. And Tua knows that heavy is the crown of being a franchise quarterback. With the anointment of a being a franchise quarterback comes the consequences of having to be on top of your game, and we’re all under the same scrutiny and have the same starting point of, all right, you are on the field to give us the best chance to win.
“When he doesn’t give us the best chance to win, then you adjust. I think it’s pretty simple, we play the players that give us the best chance to win, and when that changes, or if that changes, or if somebody else gives us a better shot, then we adjust there. But I still absolutely don’t forget all of the the learning lessons and the growth that Tua has had over his career, and I’m counting on him to have the similar response from this last game. But as far as conjectures go down the road for a headline, I don’t see that how that necessarily helps the Miami Dolphins play the Buffalo Bills.”
Though the Dolphins outlook on the season is not that bright currently, it seems that McDaniel has no intention of replacing Tagovailoa with rookie Quinn Ewers at quarterback. The 27-year-old Pro Bowler may not be playing the best football of his career right now, but is still gives the Dolphins the best chance to win at this time. It will be interesting if McDaniel changes his tune later in the season if Miami continues to lose.
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