Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa has tough challenge balancing success, health, says Steve Young
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's health has become a major sticking point in not only his professional career, but the fortunes of the organization.
Tagovailoa, 27, has suffered several of concussions throughout his NFL career, mostly recently during a game against the Buffalo Bills in Week 2 of the 2024 season. Tagovailoa missed four games on injured reserve after what was his third documented head injury with the Dolphins.
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On "The Rich Eisen Show," Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve Young spoke on Tagovailoa's situation and how he should proceed under center.
'When you put on the helmet, you are at risk. No matter what happens, you are going to be at risk,' Young said. "Tua is in a super tight spot to be able to play the game the way it should be paid and remain available."
"If you are not going to attack the line of scrimmage, if you are not going to give that threat, you will not be in the Super Bowl," Young said.
Steve Young NFL career cut short by injury
Young, a two-time MVP (1992 and 1994) and three-time Super Bowl champion, suffered several documented concussions in his 17-year playing career between the NFL and USFL. His last concussion occurred on Sept. 27, 1999, and was said to cause him to retire.
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Young led the NFL with 36 touchdowns passes in 1998 and even at age 38, was still considered one top QBs in league when he retired, coming off his seventh straight Pro Bowl season. He only played in three games in 1999 when symptoms from post-concussion syndrome forced him to retire.
Young famously backed up Joe Montana for five seasons before getting his chance to start with the San Francisco 49ers, helping extend that team's run near the top of the NFL. The Niners had won double-digit regular season games each year Young was the full-time starter.
Miami Dolphins handling Tua situation
Dolphins general manager Chris Grier spoke about Tagovailoa in January, expressing the necessity of his quarterback to stay on the field.
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'He needs to be available," Grier said. "He needs to know how to protect himself. Like, you're going to get hit at times, it's always going to happen, but he needs to control what he can control."
Tagovailoa missed a career high six games in 2024 including four straight after colliding helmet first with Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin in Week 2. The Dolphins went 2-4 record in the games that Tagovailoa missed (he was out a pair of games in December with a hip injury) and went 6-5 in the games he did play.
Tua spoke to the media at the Dolphins mandatory minicamp on June 10 and reiterated his GMs words.
"Doing everything I can to stay available for the guys,' Tagovailoa said. Like I've said before in the past, nothing changes with that. It's knowing when is the time to give up on a play. I would say the longevity for me to be on the field with my guys is more important than whatever that one play is.
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Tagovailoa has consistently stated that he wants to play football and the concussions he has received will not take that away from him. Young knows the position Tua is in but knows what is needed if the quarterback hopes to win.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Steve Young: Tua Tagovailoa must learn how to end plays earlier
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