It certainly feels like this could be the end of the road for Tua Tagovailoa in Miami.
The six-year NFL veteran was shown the bench Wednesday when coach Mike McDaniel demoted Tagovailoa to third-string quarterback duties, with rookie seventh-round pick Quinn Ewers getting the nod under center in Week 16 at home against the Bengals.
“Naturally, I’d say I’m disappointed. It’s a normal human emotion,” Tagovailoa said. “Outside of that, I gotta do my part, my role here right now is to help whoever the quarterback is going to be for this team, to lead this team, help him in whatever way I can to help the team win this game on Sunday.”
Tagovailoa has really struggled this season, leading the NFL in interceptions (15), to go along with 2,660 passing yards and 20 touchdowns.
The end of the road for Tagovailoa came in the 28-15 road loss to the Steelers on “Monday Night Football” when he had just 65 passing yards through three quarters with an interception.
Miami coach Mike McDaniel told reporters after the game that the quarterback play “was not good enough,” opening the door for a change.
“Disappointed, I’m not happy about it. But, something out of my control,” Tagovailoa continued. “I would say is the biggest thing, and it’s being honest with myself as well, had been my performance. I haven’t been performing up to the level and the capabilities that I have in the past.”
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Where things get dicey for the Dolphins is if they want to get out of the Tagovailoa business entirely.
Tagovailoa agreed to a four-year $212.4 million deal in 2024 with $167 million guaranteed.
Releasing Tagovailoa this offseason would cost the Dolphins $99.2 million in dead cap space, although it could be spread over two years with a post-June 1 designation.
Similar to the Browns with Deshaun Watson, the Dolphins will have a very difficult time fielding a competitive team with that kind of financial restriction blocking them.
Ewers’ first career start will come Sunday against a Bengals team led by quarterback Joe Burrow, who also has plenty of questions surrounding his own future.
