Miami Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa awarded for taking top ‘ownership' of team
MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has led the NFL in passer rating and completion percentage and passing yards.
What could bring Tagovailoa to another level is holding teammates accountable like never before.
Advertisement
Tagovailoa, 27, is about to begin his sixth NFL season. He is a husband and father of two.
And Tagovailoa is in the same offense, under the same head coach for a fourth consecutive season.
There are no excuses. And it appears Tua is embracing the challenge to take complete command.
MORE STEPPING UP: Dolphins' Austin Jackson sheds 'bust' label, assumes role of offensive line leader
In the second week of organized team activities, coach Mike McDaniel awarded Tua an orange practice jersey for his recent performance.
'(Tua) had the most ownership of all the players on each and every down,' McDaniel said.
Tua Tagovailoa takes ownership of Miami Dolphins
McDaniel explained that Tua had responded well when teammates were not aligned properly.
Advertisement
'He really had command and resolve,' McDaniel said.
Tua cannot defer to anyone in 2025. Not Tyreek Hill or Jonnu Smith or Aaron Brewer or Austin Jackson.
Terron Armstead has retired. Raheem Mostert is in Las Vegas.
It must be the quarterback setting a tone and calling out those who are not on board with the plan.
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 21: Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins addresses the media at Baptist Health Training Complex on October 21, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by)
Tua Tagovailoa more decisive than ever in Year 6 with Dolphins
Quarterbacks growing into a leadership role is a storyline for every quarterback, every season.
But it is certainly relevant for Tua, who came into the league with a propensity to defer to older players.
'Tua in Year 6, he's definitely a lot more confident and decisive on and off the field,' tackle Austin Jackson said. 'He knows what people are supposed to be doing in terms of training. He knows what we're doing on the field. He knows how to take care of his body.
Advertisement
'He knows how to unite guys, bring us together for team camaraderie and stuff, just to get together. He's a full-blown leader, and I think he's showing that he wants to take control of this team and he is.'
Joe Schad: Miami Dolphins' Jaylen Waddle must bounce back from subpar 2024
Jalen Ramsey: Miami Dolphins trading star? Everything you need to know
Top 5 position battles: Miami Dolphins OTA and training camp
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins Tua Tagovailoa now in complete 'command' as a leader
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Cosmopolitan
34 minutes ago
- Cosmopolitan
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Wear Matching Outfits at Stanley Cup Final
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce just made their first official (meaning: not blurry fan pics) public appearance together since January, showing up at the 2025 Stanley Cup Final in Florida wearing matching red and beige outfits. And yep there are videos: This comes amid a source telling Us Weekly that Tay and Trav are making fewer public appearances together "because [their relationship] brings too much unwanted attention. But there isn't trouble in paradise." You also might have noticed that tonight's surprise appearance is going down in Florida, where Travis happens to be training for the upcoming NFL season. "Florida has been the perfect escape for them," another insider told the outlet. "Taylor has been coming and going to Florida and is still spending a lot of her time in NYC." Meanwhile, a third person added that Taylor "is trying to spend as much time with him as she can by going to Boca. They are doing stuff separately out of necessity because of his training, but when they find time to connect, it's intentional and meaningful." The couple were also recently spotted at a wedding, and in case you missed the photos they are v. sweet: Can't wait to see where these two pop up next. And as a reminder: they have yet to make their official red carpet debut, so keep an eye out....
USA Today
34 minutes ago
- USA Today
Patriots reveal date for 12-foot Tom Brady statue unveiling
Patriots reveal date for 12-foot Tom Brady statue unveiling NFL legend and former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady will get a bronze statue unveiled outside of Gillette Stadium prior to the team's preseason game against the Washington Commanders on August 8. New England made the announcement official on social media Thursday. The No. 12 jersey was retired, and Brady was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame last year. Now, the team will unveil a 12-foot statue for the greatest quarterback of all time. It's the perfect way to honor a quarterback who led the Patriots to six Super Bowl wins and a dynasty that spanned for nearly two decades. Brady had the most improbable football story as a former sixth-round draft pick who went on to establish a legacy as an all-time great. Fans were along for the ride every step of the way, and they'll once again ride along for the next honor bestowed upon the legendary quarterback. Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
New York Post
44 minutes ago
- New York Post
Taylor Swift ready for ‘completely different' NFL season with Travis Kelce
It looks like Taylor Swift could be at more games this upcoming NFL season. For the first time since Swift and Travis Kelce started dating, the 14-time Grammy Award winner will not be on tour during the Chiefs' season, and she's excited for it, People reported. 'Taylor is really looking forward to the upcoming NFL season. Not just because she loves supporting Travis, but because for the first full season since they started dating, she's not juggling a packed tour schedule,' a source close to the couple told People on Thursday. Travis Kelce celebrates with Taylor Swift after the Chiefs' 17-10 victory over the Ravens in the AFC Championship Game at M&T Bank Stadium on Jan. 28, 2024 in Baltimore. Getty Images 'This fall will be completely different,' the insider continued. 'It's the first season where she's not constantly flying back and forth or working around an entire touring calendar.' During the previous two seasons, Swift, 35, was on her record-breaking Eras Tour, as she performed a total of 149 shows worldwide. 'The past two seasons were a whirlwind between performing across multiple countries, long flights, and trying to squeeze in alone time together wherever possible. It wasn't easy but they made it work,' the source told the outlet. The tour finally concluded in December 2024, and Swift is expected to attend more of Kelce's 13th season with the Chiefs. 'Her schedule is much more open now that the Eras Tour is wrapped and she's genuinely excited to have the time and flexibility to show up for Travis more consistently,' the insider shared. Travis Kelce warms up before the Chiefs' win over the Dolphins on Nov. 5, 2023 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Getty Images 'Taylor plans to be at as many of his games as possible,' the source added. 'They've both had such demanding schedules for so long, so having this stretch of time where things aren't quite as chaotic feels like a welcome change.' Rumors have swirled around that Kelce, 35, might retire after this upcoming season, but teammate Patrick Mahomes remains confident that this will not be the star tight end's final year. 'If it's the last ride, you would never know,' Mahomes said during the Chiefs' OTA's earlier this month. 'The way he's talking about football, the way he's talking about working and trying to be even better this year than he was last year, he doesn't seem like a guy like it's his last ride, like he's tired of the job.'
