The biggest topic of conversation involving the Miami Dolphins this offseason continues to be just that, a hot topic.
Every indication the organization has given – with its public comments and actions – is that it will sign quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to a long-term contract extension this year instead of playing him out on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract.
But just because the conclusion seems a foregone conclusion does not mean the debate is over.
The latest example came Wednesday on NFL Network’s “Total Access” when the topic Tua emerged as a logical extension of a discussion about Dolphins sign veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
Analyst Marc Ross, who spent nearly two decades working in recruiting and personnel for the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills, started the conversation.
“It’s not a question of if, but just when they’re going to make this deal with Tua and Tua, he showed his abilities throughout the regular season and of course, when the Dolphins are kind of playing with average to below average talent to be a machine in this offense where Mike McDaniel can run the game, he can get the ball quickly to these playmakers, adding another one with OBJ,” said Ross, who like. McDaniel, was an Ivy League wide receiver (in his case Princeton). “That’s what he really showed. And they showed it, general manager Chris Grier came out publicly and said, we’re going to make this happen. I’m sure everyone in the building loves Tua, everything the world feels an affinity for Tua and when you have that feeling, you take care of your guys. So that’s what’s happening with Tua right now.
This is where Ross expressed some hesitation, the same concern that has been raised by other media analysts and here.
“My problem is, can he take it to another level? They were 1-5 last year against playoff teams, the only win was against the Cowboys – another real questionable team – and they didn’t score only 22 points,” Ross said. “Then they get into the playoffs against Kansas City and only score seven and it was really on one play, the bomb for Tyreek. So my problem with Tua is yeah, they’re going to make it happen. You don’t want to be stuck in QB purgatory and you kind of love your guys a little bit more and take care of them, as opposed to where will we be without him, but as far as competing with Lamar (Jackson ), Patrick (Mahomes), Josh (Allen), Joe Burrow, I don’t think he’s in that class.”
As we’ve said here before, it’s unfair to blame the Dolphins’ offensive shortcomings solely on Tua, although at the same time we must also recognize that he wasn’t the one who allowed the Dolphins to finish first in the NFL in total offense. .
We also disagree with Ross’s comment that he doesn’t want to “be stuck in QB purgatory” because that sounds an awful lot like settling for something good out of fear of ending up with something worse while still trying something better – if any of that makes sense.
We’ve advocated here multiple times that our preferred approach would be to revisit the issue next offseason after Tua plays out the fifth-year option and lock him up for the long term if he proves he can elevate his game – and that’s not necessarily the case. means winning a playoff game – at a critical time against quality opponents.
Robert Turbin, a running back who played for four teams during his eight-year NFL career, also proposed this approach during the “Total Access” episode.
“Well, if it’s not a matter of if but when, why can’t we wait until the season is over?” » asked Turbin. “Have him prove it to you for another year. We’ve seen that from other quarterbacks who relate to hey, maybe we have a guy who can do it in the regular season, but this n It’s not about the regular season. It’s about winning championships where you step on that field and we’ve seen high-paid quarterbacks or high-paid quarterbacks continually fail. example If I’m the Dolphins, give me another season as an example before spending so much money on a guy who hasn’t proven it consistently in the playoffs yet. that he won’t be able to do it in the future. So I would be patient, I would be patient if I was the Miami Dolphins in this situation.
The only problem with Turbin’s stance is that pointing out playoff failures isn’t fair to Tua given that he only played one playoff game, and that game took place under conditions miserable weather in Kansas City with several skill position players operating at less than 100 percent.
From there, it’s not about failing in the playoffs, but rather against playoff opponents, and not just last season but throughout Tua’s career. The stat that stands out here is 26 touchdown passes to 19 interceptions and his 82.0 passer rating against playoff opponents, along with a 6-15 record in those games.
Again, that’s not to say Tua hasn’t been good because he has, but if we look at his statistical success – leading the NFL in passer rating in 2022, leading the NFL in yards per the pass in 2023, Pro Bowl starter — you also have to look at the body of work.
Like the Dolphins as a whole, Tua has been very good to excellent against mediocre competition (non-playoff opponents) over the past two seasons, but not good enough against playoff teams.
Based on everything we’ve heard, the Dolphins believe it’s going to get better, which is why the contract extension is expected to happen.
“I’m told negotiations have begun in earnest,” NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler reported on ESPN a few days ago. “The Dolphins at least got the ball rolling. Usually what happens is the team makes a contract offer, the player counterattacks, then they go from there and see if they can find a spot ideal. So the next three months will be crucial. My sense is that it hasn’t resulted in anything imminent, but the Dolphins are pretty committed to this offseason and say they’re going to cut it a lot. big contracts, cutting players like So this might be the path of least resistance among all of these quarterbacks getting signed deals across the league.
In the meantime, Tua continues to work in the Dolphins’ offseason program (volunteer except for June minicamp) and play golf while he can.
His golf partner this week was teammate Jalen Ramsey, who made his feelings pretty clear on Tua’s extension situation.
Jalen Ramsey wants Tua to be PAID
PS: I beat Tua in a golf match pic.twitter.com/I3Q1UFUSYn
-Nic Rohloff (@nic_rohloff) May 8, 2024
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