In recent weeks, the NFL world has turned its attention to the unfolding tension between Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and his former head coach, Brian Flores. The relationship between the two has been under scrutiny, with Tagovailoa publicly expressing his frustrations over his treatment by Flores.
Tua Tagovailoa, who was selected fifth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Dolphins, did not shy away from addressing his strained experience with Flores. He described it in stark terms: “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?” These words highlight the emotional toll that the young quarterback experienced during his early NFL career.
Brian Flores, now a linebackers coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers, has acknowledged the impact of his approach on Tagovailoa. Reflecting on his actions, which have come under fire, Flores said, “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?”
The Draft Controversy
The controversy between player and coach has its roots dating back to the 2020 NFL Draft. While the Dolphins' General Manager, Chris Grier, chose Tagovailoa, there have been persistent rumors that Flores preferred Justin Herbert. Herbert, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers, has since made his mark in the league, further intensifying the scrutiny over the Dolphins' choice. Tagovailoa made his debut in Week 6 of the 2020 season against the New York Jets and became the starting quarterback by Week 8, facing the Los Angeles Rams. However, his role wasn't solidified as Flores substituted veteran QB Ryan Fitzpatrick for Tagovailoa in critical moments, including during the fourth quarter of a Week 11 game against the Denver Broncos and again in Week 16 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
A New Era in Miami
Flores' tenure with the Dolphins came to an end in January 2022 following a 9-8 season. The arrival of Mike McDaniel as the new head coach signified a turning point for the franchise and, notably, for Tagovailoa. McDaniel's approach has been markedly different. In his first address to his new quarterback, McDaniel reassured Tagovailoa, saying, “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?”
The change in coaching has indeed borne fruit. Under McDaniel's guidance, Tagovailoa led the NFL in passer rating in 2022 and passing yards in 2023, earning his first Pro Bowl nod in the process. Tua has acknowledged the positive shift within the organization, 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.”
Support System Matters
A key element in any player's success is the support they receive from their team, especially from the head coach. Tagovailoa emphasized the significance of this support, stating, “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 move forward, the relationship between Tagovailoa and McDaniel appears to be at the heart of the team's revival. The contrasting experiences under different coaches shed light on the critical nature of leadership and its impact on player performance and morale. For Tua, the journey from criticism to commendation has not only defined his career but also exemplified the profound effects that coaching philosophies can have on a player’s development and success.