Latest news with #NFL-themed
USA Today
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Your NFL team will soon have its own Croc, but these 14 squads are up first
With the football season only weeks away, Crocs and the NFL are teaming up to give fans a mix of comfortable footwear and fandom. The partnership was announced in a news release from the NFL on Monday, Aug. 18. According to the NFL, the multi-year licensing agreement will entail an "NFL x Crocs" collaboration featuring team-inspired footwear and NFL-themed Jibbitz. 'This collection goes far beyond product — it's about creating unforgettable experiences that bring our communities even closer to the game they love,' Matias Infante, vice president of global marketing of Crocs, said in the release. The new line of NFL-themed Crocs will include a first drop showcasing 14 of the 32 NFL teams, with products for the remaining teams coming later. The partnership will also bring more than footwear, with limited releases and expanded categories, including bags. Here is what you need to know about the partnership. Which teams will get their own Crocs? All 32 NFL teams will get Crocs products throughout the season, according to the news release. The initial drop on Thursday, Sept. 18, will include Crocs for 14 teams: Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
Campaign ME
03-07-2025
- Business
- Campaign ME
Inside the strategy behind NFL's San Francisco 49ers' Middle East expansion
National Football League's (NFL) San Francisco 49ers hosted its first activation in Dubai this June, following the announcement in March that the major league professional sports team were granted activation rights in the UAE. The team hosted a flag football coaching session at GEMS World Academy Senior School, training more than 24 physical education teachers in the fundamentals of coaching flag football. The activation also included a youth flag football clinic for 30 students, aged 10-11 who enjoyed different NFL-themed practice drills and an introduction to flag tag. Sourdough Sam, the 49ers mascot made a special appearance to engage with the students and interact with fans. Stephanie Rogers, EVP of Marketing at the 49ers, discusses the team's regional entry strategy with Campaign Middle East after its latest activation. 'Seeking out this new opportunity in the UAE was driven by two main goals: growing the game of football, and expanding our global fanbase, the 49ers Faithful,' Rogers says. She describes the expansion into the UAE as a 'natural fit', noting that the Bay Area and the UAE share a similar drive for innovation, a focus on sustainability, and strong business and tourism sectors. 'As the first NFL team to activate on the ground in the UAE, we feel honored and excited to build something lasting within this community,' Rogers adds. A 360 marketing mix powered by social listening The team will utilise a multi-pronged approach to roll-out its marketing and media strategies in the new market. Its Middle East strategy is based on innovation, education, and historic impact. This includes 'combining in-person events like our first flag football clinic, with digital content and community initiatives,' Rogers explains. The team has already launched Arabic language social media accounts, and claims to be planning events like watch parties to bring the Levi's Stadium experience to fans in the Middle East. The San Francisco 49ers is also tailoring its marketing strategies to connect specifically with residents in the region. 'We have grown our international fanbases in the UK and Mexico by over 50 per cent but our strategy in the UAE will be uniquely tailored to its culture and people,' Rogers says. 'We're in a listening phase right now – meeting with fans, community leaders, and businesses to learn what resonates most.' 'We're also partnering with local experts like RISE Group to help us create authentic content and engagement that reflects the spirit of the community,' she adds. As its first major project since its acquisition by Elevate, the agency takes on expanding the team's fan base and corporate partnership footprint in the region, and growing interest in American and flag football. 'Whilst the news of the NFL opening up the UAE market is still relatively fresh, we've been working on a series of activations and events to engage, excite and delight all stakeholders in the region,' says Dave McCann, Partner RISE GROUP. 'These plans will primarily focus on three pillars; digital and social, in-person events, and community engagement programmes, with significant commercial partner opportunities blended in across all three. All activities will follow the strategic vision of growing the next international Faithful following,' McCann explains. He also says that 'RISE will be the driving force of the 49ers creative campaigns, by supporting the 49ers with a dedicated team to deliver against the franchise's objectives for the region.' This includes the 49ers' UAE social media, content, and fan events, alongside a dedicated schools programme. The team is also driving local partnerships and leveraging the team's global sponsors to connect with the region's growing NFL fanbase. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 49ers Foundation (@49ersfoundation) McCann also shares that through its use of Elevate's proprietary data platform, EPIC, the agency aims to leverage a host of local market insight and consumer data to help inform its strategy building for the NFL team. 'Our access to year-round data on consumer preferences, changes in fan behaviour and attitudes will help us develop campaigns that I'm sure will resonate best with consumers in the region,' McCann says. Creating long-term fan experiences The San Francisco 49ers say they are connecting with Middle East audiences, primarily in the UAE, through digital campaigns, in-person events, and youth engagement initiatives. 'With flag football's inclusion in the 2028 Olympics, the opportunity to build the sport and engage fans, especially young athletes, is bigger than ever. For us, this is about creating real community and impact,' Rogers says. This goes beyond traditional marketing, to embed the 49ers into the lives of sports fans in the UAE. 'With the support of the 49ers Foundation, which is the largest in the league, we're also looking to bring STEAM educational opportunities and inclusive sports programming for UAE youth,' Rogers explains. 'We have been warmly welcomed by the community and we look forward to building long-lasting relationships with future fans and partners here' she adds. 'Our commitment is not just about flag participation but about creating a journey for youth development. Across a combination of in-person events, digital activations and community initiatives, we aspire to share the storied history of the 49ers with the UAE.' Looking ahead, the team looks forward to collaborating with local partners that 'not only want to activate around the 49ers team, but are also excited to create impactful experiences like youth sports programming and unforgettable fan experiences,' Rogers says. 'We're committed to building a strong, lasting foundation here. The response has already been incredibly welcoming and we're excited to deepen our presence around the country,' she concludes.
USA Today
30-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
10 NFL undrafted free agents who could make initial 53-man rosters as rookies
Editor's note: This story is a part of a series by USA TODAY Sports called Project: June. We will publish at least one NFL-themed story every day throughout the month because fans know the league truly never sleeps. By definition, undrafted free agents might seem like an afterthought to most after being repeatedly passed over. But that's hardly the case for NFL teams. To fully capitalize on months of extensive scouting work, front offices extend their personnel push well beyond the seven rounds of each draft. The work begins immediately as franchises flock to sign undrafted free agents, often ponying up significant sums of guaranteed money just to get what amounts to a first look at players. Many of those who latch on with teams during this portion of the process will end up on practice squads, operating in a sort of football purgatory as teams monitor their development. But that designation leaves them open to being signed away by competitors willing to put them on their active roster, so any organization worried about its promising young talent being poached must tread carefully. And with no shortage of recent success stories from the undrafted ranks – including Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker, who nearly matched the rookie yardage output of first-round teammate Xavier Legette, and Los Angeles Rams linebacker Omar Speights, who started 10 games in 2024 – coaching staffs have plenty of reason to keep an eye out for unlikely early contributors. With training camps set to start up next month, here are 10 undrafted free agents who this year have a chance to make the initial 53-man roster for their respective teams: Efton Chism III, WR, New England Patriots With New England having centered its draft on an all-out effort to support second-year quarterback Drake Maye, it seemed inevitable that an offensive newcomer would set himself apart during offseason workouts. Yet rather than first-round offensive tackle Will Campbell, second-round running back TreVeyon Henderson or third-round wideout Kyle Williams, it was a little-known slot receiver from Eastern Washington who created as big of a buzz as anyone. Chism, who broke Cooper Kupp's school single-season record for catches with 120 last year, quickly became a favorite of Maye, who estimated he found the 5-10, 195-pound target for "like 50 catches" in organized team activities. That only means so much prior to the start of training camp, but it unquestionably highlighted Chism's potential value given the Patriots' mandate on putting the 2024 No. 3 overall pick in more favorable spots after a rookie year rife with challenges. "I think he's a talented player. I think he has a certain skill set. He's dedicated. He's studied extremely hard," Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said in June. "He has a good feel for what we're asking him to do. I think the biggest thing for receivers is that there's trust from the guy that throws the football. "When you earn the quarterback's trust ... it doesn't take you long to figure out who the quarterback trusts. It's the ones they target. That's a good indicator." Chism's appeal as a safety valve in a Josh McDaniels-helmed system known for creating opportunities for slot receivers should be readily evident. But Demario Douglas looks to be entrenched in that role for the near future, and securing a spot on the roster might entail leapfrogging several more high-profile pass catchers in Kendrick Bourne, Kayshon Boutte and Javon Baker. If Chism continues to make his mark in a more competitive setting throughout the summer, however, he could be too promising to part with. Cobee Bryant, CB, Atlanta Falcons After placing a premium on jolting its pass rush with first-rounders Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr., the Falcons then shifted their focus toward reshaping their secondary with second-round safety Xavier Watts and third-round nickel Billy Bowman Jr. But the work might not have ended there. Atlanta also added Bryant, a three-time first-team All-Big 12 selection who notched 13 career interceptions at Kansas. His 180-pound frame will need to be filled out for him to hold up against NFL receivers, particularly given his hyperphysical style that could leave him prone to plenty of penalties. But his consistently elevated aggressiveness serves him well in other phases of his game, and the Falcons' cornerback depth is relatively limited. Wide receiver Nick Nash and offensive guard Joshua Gray also have a solid shot at sticking around. Jared Ivey, DE, Seattle Seahawks On first blush, the Seahawks' edge rush might seem to be too deep to lend itself to an undrafted player latching on, with free-agent signee DeMarcus Lawrence and Boye Mafe being backed by Uchenna Nwosu and 2023 second-round pick Derick Hall. But Mike Macdonald's complex scheme demands a lot from its pass rushers, and Seattle could use some short-term insurance given Lawrence and Nwosu combined to play in just 10 games last season due to injuries. Ivey lacks the explosiveness of a typical developmental edge threat, but his versatility and skill set should endear him to Macdonald. Isaiah Neyor, WR, San Francisco 49ers With Brandon Aiyuk seemingly on track to start the year on the physically unable to perform list as he continues to recover from torn anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments, the 49ers' outlook at receiver is far from settled. But that dynamic could open up an opportunity for Neyor, a 6-4, 218-pound speedster who drew a rave initial review from six-time Pro Bowl tight end George Kittle. "He was running a route and he got like 9 1/2 yards in two strides," said Kittle on a June appearance on the "Bussin with the Boys" podcast. "I was like, 'Holy (expletive).' It was insane. We watched it like 10 times in the tight end room. We were like, 'How is he doing this?'" Neyor first broke out at Wyoming in 2021 by averaging nearly 20 yards per catch and hauling in 12 touchdowns. But after tearing his ACL at Texas and only posting modest production last year at Nebraska, he still lacks a handle on the finer points of the position. Still, Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch might be reticent to allow other teams to swoop in, and Neyor might be able to earn a spot on the initial roster if he can beat out seventh-round selection Junior Bergen. Nazir Stackhouse, DT, Green Bay Packers A three-year starter on Georgia's star-studded defense, Stackhouse doesn't offer the flashy athletic traits of former teammates like Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis or even Warren Brinson, whom the Packers selected in the sixth round in April. But the 6-4, 327-pounder eats up space in the run game and routinely blows up blocks. With T.J. Slaton's departure leaving a void for that role on an interior line group otherwise built on penetrating, Stackhouse can carve out a fairly straightforward niche despite his playmaking limitations. Andrew Armstrong, WR, Miami Dolphins The Dolphins' draft class was defined by a dedication to fortifying its fronts, with the team's first three selections coming along the offensive and defensive lines. But that approach, combined with Miami's Day 3 strategy, left the organization to look towards the undrafted free agent ranks to address a receiving corps that looks dangerously thin behind Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and free-agent signing Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. Of the four first-year wideouts added after the draft, Armstrong looks to be the best bet to crack the roster. The 6-4, 202-pounder can add a different flavor to Mike McDaniel's aerial attack by providing Tua Tagovailoa with a possession receiver who can thrive in contested-catch scenarios. Tight end Jalin Conyers also could push for a spot, especially with Jonnu Smith's contract standoff yet to produce a resolution. Seth McLaughlin, C, Cincinnati Bengals A torn Achilles suffered last November no doubt weighed down the draft stock of McLaughlin, who was a fixture for Alabama's front before transferring to Ohio State and winning the Rimington Trophy last year. If not for the ailment, the 6-4, 304-pounder would have had a strong chance to be selected given his track record as a heady blocker capable of compensating for his pedestrian frame and athleticism. On a Bengals line that has struggled to afford Joe Burrow with any steady protection, McLaughlin could be an intriguing understudy to Ted Karras, though he'll have to 2024 seventh-round pick Matt Lee for the role. An undrafted free agent could also claim a job on the other side of the ball, as defensive tackles Howard Cross III – who played under new Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden at Notre Dame – and Eric Gregory will try to make a push at a spot where Cincinnati has long underperformed. Ben Chukwuma, OT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Anyone guessing who landed the highest guaranteed payout among undrafted free agents probably wouldn't land on an offensive tackle from Georgia State who started for a little more than one season and didn't earn all-conference honors. Nevertheless, it was Chukwuma who stood above all his peers after netting $300,000 from the Buccaneers, according to multiple reports. The 6-6, 310-pound blocker, who moved to Georgia from Nigeria when he was 17, only began playing football after attending a walk-on tryout at Georgia State. Having paid a hefty sum to secure his services, the Buccaneers' brain trust clearly is interested in what it can make of Chukwuma and his tools. Jah Joyner, DE, Las Vegas Raiders Maxx Crosby and Malcolm Koonce give the Silver and Black a solid foundation for a unit otherwise seemingly devoid of building blocks. Behind them, however, there's little certainty. Neither first-round disappointment Tyree Wilson nor Charles Snowden have provided much of a spark, even in backup roles. Joyner might not push either for a spot on the second string, but his tenacity could make him a solid rotational piece. Da'Quan Felton, WR, New York Giants Any question about the Giants' satisfaction with their wide receiver depth after the draft was quickly answered by the team signing five undrafted players at the position. Of those brought on, Felton might be the most fascinating - and have the best chance of securing a backup job. The 6-5, 213-pound target sizes up as a natural partner for Russell Wilson given his knack for hauling in contested catches downfield. With few other big bodies in New York's receiving corps, Felton could hold down a unique role while becoming a more precise route runner and eliminating the drops that have long plagued him. All the NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY's 4th and Monday newsletter.
USA Today
29-06-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Hall of Famer Richard Seymour part of growing list of Black NFL limited partners
Editor's note: This story is a part of a series by USA TODAY Sports called Project: June. We will publish at least one NFL-themed story every day throughout the month because fans know the league truly never sleeps. JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – It has been nearly 16 years since Richard Seymour felt the sting of a certain type of NFL business. In the prime of a Hall of Fame career, Seymour was abruptly traded from the NFL penthouse to what must've seemed like the outhouse. The week of the season opener in 2009, the New England Patriots shipped the dominant defensive lineman and his collection of three Super Bowl rings to the Oakland Raiders. Call it a classic Bill Belichick move. Cut ties too early rather than too late. Nothing personal, just cold NFL 'bidness' that fetched the premium return of a first-round draft pick. And Seymour never saw it coming. His world was flipped upside down to such a degree – Richard and his wife, Tanya, had four young children, and the new school year was starting – that it prompted then-Raiders owner Al Davis to fire off a 'five-day letter' threatening a season-long suspension when Seymour didn't immediately report. And look at him now. Seymour, 45, owns a piece of the Las Vegas Raiders. His deal to purchase a stake of the franchise from Mark Davis – reportedly a 0.5% slice – was approved by NFL owners in October 2024 at the same time Tom Brady's package with Knighthead Capital Management's Tom Wagner for a 10% share was finalized. Turns out, that stunning trade worked out much better than Seymour would have imagined at the time. Talk about another type of NFL business. 'Sometimes, you don't know what God has planned for you,' Seymour told USA TODAY Sports, reflecting during an expansive interview at a suburban Atlanta coffee shop. 'If I never got traded, I don't think I'd have become an NFL owner.' An NFL owner. Let that sink in. Seymour didn't generate the type of headlines that Brady did in buying into the Raiders, and his share doesn't compare to Brady's slice, yet it is so significant on multiple levels. In a league that has never had a Black majority owner, Seymour is part of a growing number of limited partners with stakes in NFL franchises who happen to be Black, the lineup including former athletes Earvin 'Magic' Johnson, Serena and Venus Williams, Warrick Dunn and Charles Woodson, in addition to financial power broker Mellody Hobson and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. That Seymour had significant support during his lengthy process from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, among other NFL heavyweights, is no coincidence. Goodell has repeatedly talked up the desire to increase ownership paths for minorities, and in Seymour's case apparently backed up the sentiment as a key resource. 'Obviously, it's important to have representation when we speak about a league that is 70% Black,' Seymour said, referring to the player population. 'You want representation at every level, from ownership to management, front office, whatever it is. You just want to make sure it's the right people and that voices are heard.' Now consider the pure business play. The Raiders ranked as the NFL's seventh-most valuable franchise in 2024 on Forbes' annual list with a valuation of $6.7 billion. That's nearly double what it was deemed worth when Seymour and Davis began discussing the possibility of doing business in 2020, the year the franchise moved from Oakland with a sweetheart deal that includes a swank, publicly-subsidized stadium. This, against the backdrop of a league – with an expanding international footprint and more media deals on the horizon -- that is approaching $25 billion in annual revenue. 'What we're seeing in terms of the growth in these valuations is only going up because of the impact of live sports in the entertainment space,' Derrick Heggans, CEO of Shepherd Park Sports Properties, told USA TODAY Sports. Heggans, a former NFL attorney who was not involved in Seymour's deal with the Raiders, matched Woodson with Cleveland Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam, leading to the Hall of Fame defensive back's recent purchase of a 0.5% stake in the Browns. Heggans also facilitated the deals that allowed former NBA stars Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter, and former MLS star Jozy Altidore, to purchase stakes in the Buffalo Bills from Terry and Kim Pegula. And he brokered the transactions that resulted in former Olympic gymnast Dominique Dawes and prolific film producer Will Packer buying stakes of the Atlanta Falcons from Arthur Blank. 'Think about it: It doesn't matter if you paid $50 million for a limited partner stake or if you're the controlling owner, you're an owner of the asset,' Heggans said. 'So, as it increases, whatever amount you put in increases. So, if I were looking at it purely as an investment and I could see that year-to-year, the growth could be anywhere from 15 to 20 percent, and there's a long history that this is only going to continue to go up, it's an investment that most people don't have the opportunity to get access to. But if you do, it can do tremendous things for you.' Flying beer cans. The NFC East. Super Bowl opponents. Nothing is stopping Howie Roseman Seymour said that Al Davis, who passed away in 2011, promised him a role in the front office after his playing career ended. The two developed a tight bond, including frequent chalk-talk visits, during Seymour's four seasons playing for the Raiders. Yet after he finished his 12-year career, Seymour was more committed to raising his children than working in the front office. He ultimately sought an equity stake instead. 'It was a dream for me,' said Seymour, a Gadsden, S.C. native who starred at Georgia. 'My relationship with Al opened the door to me and Mark's relationship.' There were times, though, when Seymour wondered whether his bid would fall through. At one point, he was aligned with a partner. Then, when other NFL franchises sold, the value of the Raiders – and conceivably the value of buying in – increased. Plus, with Brady pursued by Davis for a stake separate from Seymour's, there may have been questions about the value formulas and other conditions of the respective shares. And, of course, to pass muster with the NFL's finance committee, there was extensive vetting. Seymour, also co-founder of a venture capital firm, 93 Ventures, would not divulge financial details of his Raiders purchase, but allowed: 'It started one way, but then, in business, things kind of shift and change. Teams sell, whether it's the Broncos (a then-record $4.65 billion in 2022) or the Commanders (a record $6.05 billion in 2023), and the landscape of the NFL changes, too. So, I had to adapt to the new landscape. I stayed competitive to make sure we got a deal done.' He also leaned on a long-term relationship. Seymour said that Patriots owner Robert Kraft helped him navigate through the process. 'It was to the point that Mark even said we should get Mr. Kraft involved,' Seymour said. Kraft provided insight for big-picture matters, including long-term sustainability, Seymour said. And as a member of the finance committee chaired by Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, Kraft was crucial in helping to structure the financial terms of Seymour's deal. 'He made sure I had my ducks in order in terms of the legalities of what was going to be looked at, what they wanted and how,' Seymour said. 'Just the order of the process, and he kind of helped me streamline.' Heggans knows all too well about the NFL's strict standards and what can be involved in the vetting. 'It's very extensive,' he said. 'They asked one of my LPs recently about parking tickets when he was in college.' Of course, the conduct of NFL owners – the principal ones -- can be subjected to much scrutiny. And for far more serious matters than parking tickets. Buzz has escalated in recent days after it was revealed that a report from an independent arbitrator suggested collusion by team owners to resist fully guaranteed contracts for players. Stay tuned. In Seymour's case, though, the scrutiny of a different type was worth it to gain admittance in an exclusive club. When he was enshrined in Canton in 2022, he became Hall of Famer No. 360 – the Pro Football Hall of Fame assigns each inductee a number that undoubtedly amplifies the prestige of the honor – and now he's in an even more exclusive club. 'As I ask regular people, if you will, when was the last time you had access to 30 billionaires, most people can't say that they do,' Heggans said. 'But once you're approved by the NFL you are one of a very small number. Whether you have a limited stake or a controlling stake, you're in the same club. And there are a lot of people that do different types of business together.' As much as Seymour expresses pride in achieving a milestone, he hardly sees his Raiders stake as the ceiling. He is just getting started, while Davis and Larry Delson, a Raiders board member, have afforded him the opportunity to take a 'holistic approach' into the business of the franchise. He has visions of owning stakes in NBA and MLB franchises, which is what Johnson, the NBA legend with whom he has consulted, has done with a vast portfolio built over decades, which now includes the NFL. A rising star coach. Will the NFL let him shine? The ultimate goal? Seymour wants to someday become the majority owner of an NFL franchise. 'But you've got to take steps toward that,' he said. Asked if he has $10 billion laying around to make that happen, Seymour chuckled. Then, he replied, 'I know people that have it.' Seymour's calls multi-billionaire Robert F. Smith, a mentor. Smith has long been considered a leading candidate to become the first Black majority NFL owner, and was in the running to purchase the Broncos, which were ultimately sold to the group headed by Rob Walton. 'What I've learned about deals is that it's best to get in,' Seymour said. 'And once you get in, it's better to navigate from the inside instead of trying to fight from the outside. To grow and to get more. You've got to have a seat at the table first. I've done several other deals where it may not have been where I wanted to be in deal originally, but five years later you look up and can see where you're headed.' In other words, history has shown Seymour that trading up can be a great option. Follow Jarrett Bell on social media: On X: @JarrettBell On Bluesky:
USA Today
28-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa faces massive pressure in 2025
Editor's note: This story is a part of a series by USA TODAY Sports called Project: June. We will publish at least one NFL-themed story every day throughout the month because fans know the league truly never sleeps. In many ways, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is a dream player. He's talented and tough. He's a strong leader. He's a good person. There are no issues off the field. He's thrown 73 touchdowns total over the last three seasons. Tagovailoa has done a solid job of being the face of a proud franchise trying to regain greatness it hasn't seen in decades. Offensive lineman Terron Armstead, who before going to Miami played with quarterback Drew Brees in New Orleans, said Tagovailoa and Brees have similar games. Armstead was, of course, careful to say that Tagovailoa has a lot more to prove. He made his comments on the "Rich Eisen Show." "I see similarities. I'm not saying they're the same player or same person, no two people are,' Armstead said. 'The anticipation, the accuracy, timing of throws, the ability to knock a wing off a fly repeatedly. Those guys throw darts. They don't throw to areas, they are very precise. And that's an elite talent, it's an elite trait. Very few people possess (it). He's one of them and Drew Brees is another." That's all the good part. And it's all quite good. The problem is that Tagovailoa hasn't broken through as an elite player. Lots of players aren't elite but Tagovailoa was the No. 5 overall pick in the 2020 draft. He's been injury prone, missing key games with a variety of ailments, most notably some frightening head injuries. Tagovailoa just hasn't broken through as a great player. A solid one. At times a really good one. But not a consistently great one. He's not alone. Look at some other quarterbacks in the league like Jacksonville's Trevor Lawrence and the Chargers' Justin Herbert. But I have an obsession with Tagovailoa (a healthy one, promise) because he perfectly embodies all of the complexities of both the NFL overall and the quarterback position. He's been good, but not outstanding. He's had, at best, OK head coaches. Good receivers but one of them, Tyreek Hill, is a massive problem away from the field. Running game has had its moments. Same for the defense. But there's little that would cause you to look at the Dolphins and say: that team is on its way. They are extremely average and Tagovailoa hasn't been able to lift them above that mediocrity. All of this leads to a crucial juncture for him and the Dolphins. What will Miami do if Tagovailoa struggles in 2025? 'Yeah, he has narratives in front of him that have to be answered,' Armstead said. 'Not necessarily by me or in an interview form, it's from him, and his play, and getting the job done. Any quarterback or any team that (doesn't) hoist that trophy at the end of the year, you have questions, you have narratives, you have challenges, you have adversity, you have things to answer. Only team that don't really have that is Philly. Everybody else, they have their questions going into the season. Tua has his questions, and it's up to him to answer these questions — not me. 'Do I believe he can? I do. Do I believe he will? I do.' Coach Mike McDaniel spoke about the larger goals for Tagovailoa this coming season at one of the Dolphins' recent OTAs. 'He's the franchise quarterback of a team," said McDaniel. "His job is to lead men on each and every play, and find different ways to continue the process of evolution for him. That's always been the name of the game for him, whether that's getting the offense to the line of scrimmage faster out of the huddle or whether that's adjusting protections, doing sight adjustments, growing his game, working on progressions, escaping the pocket and getting rid of (the ball).' He added: 'All of the things a quarterback is asked to do, I think that's where he's at. He's dipped his toe in the water with everything, and now it's consistency and mastery. That's why it's a never-ending exercise.' More: Tyreek Hill says he doesn't deserve to be Dolphins captain, has to prove himself again McDaniel is saying exactly what I am except in a fancier, more coach-speak way. It's time for Tagovailoa to show true captaincy of the position. Miami has paid Tagovailoa well (and he's earned it). He'll make almost $150 million through 2026. The contract is costly but far from impossible to walk away from. Which makes this coming season for Tagovailoa and the Dolphins an interesting one to watch. All the NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY's 4th and Monday newsletter.
