McDaniel expects Tua at OTAs; Beckham offer made
ORLANDO — The Dolphins have been the victims of holdouts in recent years. And “hold-ins,” which is where a player reports to the training facility but doesn’t do much.
Mike McDaniel isn’t expecting either to be the case with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
McDaniel, speaking with reporters at the NFL’s annual meeting Monday morning, acknowledged that the organization continues working toward a long-term extension with Tagovailoa. General manager Chris Grier has said those talks might continue into training camp. Tagovailoa is scheduled to play on the team’s fifth-year option in 2024.
That raised the question of whether Tagovailoa might skip the voluntary offseason program to make a point or even mandatory minicamp. In recent years, cornerback Xavien Howard staged a holdout and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins a hold-in.
If either happens with Tagovailoa, it would surprise McDaniel.
“I do expect Tua to be in OTAs only because of my working relationship with Tua,” McDaniel said. “And for two years I’ve watched him gain some unbelievable residuals towards the season in that progress. It’s part of the reason Tua is who he is, because he’s always learning, never stayed the same and always working on his craft.
“The one thing that he likes to do now in his life, besides be a kick-ass dad to Ace and Mazey, is play football with his teammates. So that’s what I expect. I don’t put really too much thought beyond that. I understand the business, but also understand my job with Tua is to make sure that his football is continuing to evolve and the best days are in front of them, which are both of our goals.”
Since McDaniel arrived, Tagovailoa has enjoyed the two best seasons of his career. He passed for 3,548 yards in 2022, then led the NFL with 4,624 yards last season. He also threw for a career-high 29 touchdowns.
Mike McDaniel to continue calling plays
Assuming Tagovailoa is running the offense this spring and summer, the voice he’ll hear in his helmet will continue to be McDaniel’s.
McDaniel considered whether it’s best for him to remain the Dolphins’ offensive play-caller. And considering the Dolphins finished as the league’s top offense, McDaniel decided the answer to the question is yes, it does.
“I thought about it long and hard,” McDaniel said. “… For now, in the spring, I’m going to call plays and I plan on doing it in the fall. But we’ll always adjust if necessary.”
Dolphins’ offer to Odell Beckham Jr. remains on table
The Dolphins hosted receiver Odell Beckham Jr. last week. They remain in the market for a third receiver to play alongside Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Beckham might be the best option available to them.
McDaniel sounded hopeful.
“We did make him an offer and business takes time, especially with players such as Odell, who’s had a phenomenal career, still has really good football in front of them and has options,” McDaniel said of the receiver who once starred for the Giants.
McDaniel described the talks as “ongoing,” adding, “We’ll see where they go.”
McDaniel: Wilkins, Hunt parting on good terms
McDaniel recently had to say goodbye to Wilkins and guard Rob Hunt.
Wilkins is joining the Raiders and Hunt the Panthers via free agency. They both received contracts that the Dolphins couldn’t match because of the salary cap.
Taking the business side of it out of the equation, McDaniel described the departures on a personal level.
“With Christian and with Rob, it wasn’t like it was easy for them to leave,” McDaniel said. “The relationships that they were leaving, the emotion that they had in the building, on a day that’s celebratory for most — I think that’s what I want to stay connected to. It’s relationships above all else and transparency.
“And sometimes when business doesn’t work out, that doesn’t mean relationships have to be fractured.”
Dolphins reporter Hal Habib can be reached at hhabib@pbpost.com . Follow him on social media @gunnerhal.
Why didn’t the Dolphins franchise tag Christian Wilkins?
McDaniel loves Wilkins. Having draft picks so talented that some are paid elsewhere is sort of a good problem to have, McDaniel explained.
McDaniel is a relentlessly positive guy.
But it is reasonable to suggest Miami’s roster is not as talented at the moment as it was at the conclusion of the 2023 season.
“There’s a finite salary cap, you know, and sometimes we have to, we can’t be the kid spending the money,” McDaniel said. “We have to be the parents that have to look at our budget and make sure we can pay the water bill.”
Yes, Miami faced some challenging salary cap issues, McDaniel acknowledged.
But he feels good about the players already added: players such as Kendall Fuller, Jordyn Brooks, Aaron Brewer and Jonnu Smith.
McDaniel expressed belief in Miami’s strategic plan. He faces the fact that the team has had a lot of holes to fill. And he realizes they don’t all have to be filled quickly.
“Expectations are extremely high,” McDaniel said. “I’m very fired up about the individuals that have come in the building since the league year started, and that are all about pushing us forward into 2024. Because we have exciting things to do and big goals to accomplish.”
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.