Tagovailoa vs. Flores: An Inside Look at the Dolphins Drama
The intrigue within the NFL community has recently centered on the escalating drama involving Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and his former head coach, Brian Flores. After a rocky early tenure in the NFL, Tagovailoa’s candid remarks about Flores have sparked intense scrutiny, shedding light on a complicated relationship that impacted both their careers.
The Rocky Start
When the Miami Dolphins selected Tua Tagovailoa as the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, expectations were high. However, initial difficulties were apparent, with whispers suggesting that Flores preferred Justin Herbert, who was ultimately drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers, over Tagovailoa.
Chris Grier, the Dolphins’ General Manager, was the decision-maker behind drafting Tagovailoa. Nonetheless, the rookie quarterback did not see NFL action until a Week 6 game against the New York Jets. By Week 8, Tagovailoa earned his first start against the Los Angeles Rams. Despite showing promise, Tagovailoa was notably substituted by Ryan Fitzpatrick during crucial moments in Weeks 11 and 16. The pressures that came with Flores’ coaching style seemed to weigh heavily on Tagovailoa.
The Strain Between Coach and Quarterback
Tagovailoa’s recent criticism of Flores brings a personal dimension to their professional discord. Reflecting on the challenging atmosphere created by Flores, Tagovailoa shared, “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?”
For Flores, who is now a linebackers coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tagovailoa’s comments were a significant blow. Flores responded, “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?”
A Changing of the Guard
The 2021 season was marred by rumors of the Dolphins’ interest in trading for Deshaun Watson, further complicating Tagovailoa’s position within the team. Flores’ tenure ultimately ended in January 2022, following a modest 9-8 season. The arrival of Mike McDaniel as the new head coach marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Dolphins.
McDaniel’s approach has seemingly been a breath of fresh air for Tagovailoa, who has thrived under the new coach’s guidance. McDaniel exuded optimism about working with Tagovailoa, stating, “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?”
A New Era of Success
Under McDaniel’s coaching, Tagovailoa’s performances have soared. In 2022, he led the NFL in passer rating and topped the league in passing yards in 2023, securing his first Pro Bowl selection. Tagovailoa expressed optimism about the changes within the team, noting, “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.”
Tagovailoa’s appreciation for the support from McDaniel highlights the profound impact of a positive coaching environment. “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,” he reflected.
The turnaround in Tagovailoa’s performance under McDaniel’s leadership underscores the vital role of a supportive coach-player relationship. While the drama with Flores continues to captivate, the Dolphins’ focus remains on carving a path to future success with McDaniel and Tagovailoa at the helm.