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Tua Tagovailoa Return: Just a week after apologizing to his teammates for calling them out, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa turned the blame on himself. In Sunday’s 31-6 loss to the Cleveland Browns, he admitted his play simply wasn’t good enough.
It was his second straight game with three interceptions, and his frustration showed. After being benched for rookie Quinn Ewers in the second half, Tagovailoa took full responsibility for the team’s struggles.
The Dolphins now sit at 1-6, and the pressure on head coach Mike McDaniel is only getting heavier. “I’m not happy with how I’ve played this season,” Tagovailoa admitted. “It’s frustrating, and I know I’m capable of much more.”
He averaged only 4.3 yards per attempt and posted a career-low passer rating of 24.1 in the loss. “I’ve played better in past years, but this season feels different,” he said.
“Right now, I’m just trying to bring everyone together, get on the same page, and find that flow again. I need to handle a lot at once — and still perform at a high level.”
Tagovailoa was under pressure all game, getting sacked twice and completing only 12 of 23 passes for 100 yards. With just over eight minutes left and the Dolphins down 31-6, coach Mike McDaniel pulled him for rookie Quinn Ewers.
After the game, Tagovailoa gave credit to Cleveland’s defense but admitted his team made too many mistakes. He never found his rhythm in the pocket and now leads the NFL in interceptions — a tough fall from two years ago when he led the league in passing yards and made his first Pro Bowl.
“It starts with me,” Tagovailoa said. “I can’t keep turning the ball over. I need to get the offense clicking with the team. No matter the situation, we have to stay united. That’s the only way to move forward.”
Coach Mike McDaniel agreed the team struggled. He said the Dolphins practically “handed the game away,” citing 11 penalties — the most since 2022 — and four turnovers as key reasons the players looked frustrated in the second half.
With the Dolphins struggling through their worst start since 2021, McDaniel admitted changes may be necessary. “Every option at quarterback is being considered,” he said after the defeat. He then shifted the conversation to questions about his own future with the team.
“I believe it’s wrong to focus on my job security while coaching,” McDaniel said. “My responsibility is to do my job fully and give everything to this team. As long as I’m with the Dolphins, that’s where my energy goes.
Worrying about myself would be a waste of time. You have a job. You do it. You do it well.
“My concern is giving my best to the players, coaches, and the organization. Spending time thinking about myself would be unfair to everyone involved.”
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