Tagovailoa having breakout year in Miami

Could 2022 be the year Tua Tagovailoa finally realizes his huge potential? If the season’s first half is any indication, the Miami Dolphins’ faithful are going to be very happy.

Indeed, in their third year signal caller, the Dolphins appear to have the franchise quarterback they thought they were getting when they drafted him fifth overall out of Alabama in 2020, only to watch him struggle his first two years.

Much of that was blamed on his relationship with thencoach Brian Flores. It’s no secret the two weren’t the best of friends, Flores’ tough love approach not working with his young QB. It also didn’t help that Flores would pull Tagovailoa from close games in favor of veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick.

But that changed when the Fish replaced Flores with Mike McDaniel. The former 49ers offensive coordinator appeared to speak Tagovailoa’s language and he assured his new field general that the starting job was his no matter what.

So far, Tagovailoa has responded to the coach’s confidence in him. In the five games he’s played, four of which were wins, he completed 130 of 186 passes (69.9 completion percentage) for 1,678 yards with 12 touchdowns, three interceptions and a 112.7 passer rating. Of course, it helps that he’s throwing to a pair of studs at wide receiver in Jaylen Waddle and newly acquired Tyreek Hill. But the point here is that the Dolphins are relevant again and Tagovailoa, who appears to be over a concussion he suffered early in the season, is a big reason why.

Tagovailoa can be seen in action Sunday, Dec. 4, when the Dolphins pay a visit to the San Francisco 49ers in a regional game airing on Fox.