Former star Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was highly praised while with the Crimson Tide. He was considered the top quarterback in the 2020 draft class until LSU’s Joe Burrow had such a fantastic final season. Nonetheless, Tagovailoa was still drafted No. 5 overall to the Miami Dolphins.
Now, with one season under his belt, he prepares for season No. 2. However, fans and some analysts are questioning his abilities.
There were talks of Tagovailoa being traded and rumors that the Dolphins may look to draft another quarterback with their top-three draft pick in 2021.
In his rookie season, he appeared in nine games, starting ten of them. His stats were not too impressive, only tallying up 1,814 yards with a 64.1 completion percentage with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Are those numbers that guarantee him a spot in Canton, Ohio? Certainly not. They still do not raise any red flags about his potential, though.
He was a rookie fresh off of a season-ending hip injury from the prior year, thrusted into the starting role mid-way through the season with a lackluster surrounding cast.
What was he expected to do?
He nearly led the Dolphins to the playoffs with a final record of 10-6.
NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky is tired of hearing all of the hate.
On NFL Live, Orlovsky went on a passionate rant about how the criticism is unwarranted and is solely based on the fact that he does not mirror NFL star Patrick Mahomes.
“I need someone to tell me what he can’t do,” said Orlovsky.
Dan Orlovsky is a legend ! đŹ pic.twitter.com/tmzlagSLpq
— Dolphin Nation (@Dolphin_Nation) March 25, 2021
There’s no telling what the future holds for Tagovailoa in 2021. However, the team has brought in new co-offensive coordinators, a new star wide receiver in Will Fuller and will likely utilize their two first-round picks to give him help.