With ex-Packers at head coach and GM, logical answer to Dolphins replacing Tua Tagovailoa seems increasingly clear
As new Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan began a mental scroll of his roster, he began to describe the foundation of his franchise’s future.
Count receiver Jaylen Waddle an “explosive athlete” with the “ability to create separation at the top of the route” as well as anybody, Sullivan told a team reporter in an interview the Dolphins posted to YouTube on Sunday. Running back De'Von Achane “can strike from anywhere on the field,” Sullivan said. “He’s a home-run guy … a difference maker.”
The 22-year Green Bay Packers employee touted Dolphins center Aaron Brewer’s ability to play out in space, left tackle Patrick Paul’s length and linebacker Jordyn Brook’s instincts and ability to strike.
As he rattled off his building blocks, Tua Tagovailoa was nowhere to be found.
The closest Sullivan came to acknowledging Tagovailoa in the 15-minute conversation: a conversation about the role of quarterback in roster assembly.
“We will build this team, starts with the quarterback,” Sullivan said, “and then we will build this team from the inside out.”
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The omission of Tagovailoa was not shocking. Former head coach Mike McDaniel benched the 2020 first-round draft pick with three games to play in the season after he’d thrown 15 interceptions and lost four fumbles in 14 games. McDaniel also said in the days between the Dolphins’ finale and his firing that “in 2026, I think there will be competition for our starting quarterback.”
But when the Dolphins fired McDaniel later that week, creating a further leadership void alongside the midseason firing of general manager Chris Grier, the question resurfaced: Would Tagovailoa get his next shot?
Tagovailoa completed 67.7% of pass attempts for 2,660 yards and 20 touchdowns amid his turnover uptick. But the interceptions brought down his passer rating to 88.5, 26th-best in the league after three straight seasons in the top-10.
A new regime could have restated their belief in him. Instead, the absence of a Tagovailoa discussion between Sullivan and the Dolphins' in-house reporter spoke volumes.
Monday, when the Dolphins announced they were hiring Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley as head coach, the answer for Tagovailoa’s replacement may have come closer to clarifying.
Source: “AOL Sports”
