The Miami Dolphins’ playoff dreams were dashed as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa sat out yet again due to a hip injury when they faced the New York Jets on Sunday, January 7, 2024.
This game was not just any regular season game for the Dolphins; it was pivotal. The team, after starting the season with two wins and six losses, clawed their way back to playoff contention. But, as they faced the Jets, with their playoff fate hanging by the slimmest of threads, they had to rely on backup quarterback Tyler Huntley, who started his second consecutive game.
Before the match, head coach Mike McDaniel stated, "It is unlikely Tua will see any action." This was the grim reality for Dolphins fans, as Tagovailoa’s absence had become somewhat of a recurring theme. His hip injury not only sidelined him for this important game but also for the previous week against the Cleveland Browns. While the Dolphins won against the Browns, it was clear they weren’t operating at full strength.
Despite his absence, Tagovailoa had maintained optimism about his future games, stating, “If the cards play out the way they should, and the way we know and think they can, I’m going to be available next week. There’s no ifs, ands or buts allowed. I’ll be playing. That’s for sure.” But as immediate as the concern is for Tagovailoa's health, the larger narrative looms over the Dolphins: their playoff hopes have practically evaporated.
On one hand, the news about his availability for upcoming games including potentially the playoffs does lean on hopeful projections. ESPN's Adam Schefter shared on The Pat McAfee Show, “Tua Tagovailoa has gotta get the hip right and he'll have time now to get it ready for the 2025 season.” This paints it as less of dire injury news than severe, hinting at Tagovailoa’s potential comeback. Yet, fundamentally, the now-fragile state of Tagovailoa's health has the Dolphins reassessing their strategy.
The 2023 season had provided glimpses of what the Dolphins could be with Tagovailoa leading the offense, evidenced by his statistics. He completed 72.9% of his passes for 2,867 yards, contributing 19 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. The quarterback had showcased his ability and was worth the substantial four-year, $212.4 million extension he had signed. But could the Dolphins still rely on him moving forward?
There seems to be parallel concerns about his injuries. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network noted, “The hip injury was affecting the surrounding muscles and...leaving him vulnerable to injury.” This statement presents the broader issue with Tagovailoa—his increasing fragility, which turns Kevin Durant’s famed phrase "availability is the best ability" back on its head.
While quarterbacks suffer injuries routinely, Tagovailoa’s case is unique. Since entering the league, he has battled two ankle surgeries, rib fractures, and at least three documented concussions, leading to doubts about his long-term viability as the franchise quarterback. Comparatively, other quarterbacks too have had their share of injuries, with Joe Burrow, for example, sidelined for 14 starts since arriving. Yet, Burrow has managed to take far more hits and still maintain his position as the Cincinnati Bengals' starter without much contention about his dependability.
Tagovailoa, conversely, has averaged just 12.8 starts per season since he was drafted. Through his complex injury history, the Miami Dolphins have had significant adjustments to their offensive strategy, forcing them to maintain a conservative offense to minimize his exposure to hits. Huntley, who filled the gap as starter, showcased some promise against the Browns but could not replicate such efforts against the Jets, leading to Miami's eventual 32-20 loss.
The Dolphins’ record fell to 8-9, with their playoff chances certified dead, leaving many questioning what the team would do at quarterback moving forward. Making roster changes would be no easy task within this offseason, as solid options seem sparse. The 2025 draft class for quarterbacks is not particularly strong, and free agency may not yield many available upgrades over Tagovailoa.
Despite the fears of Tagovailoa being too fragile to carry the Dolphins moving forward, the coaching and management must pursue avenues to strengthen their quarterback position. While they may acknowledge Tua’s potential, employing him as their only option appears increasingly untenable—bring them to the crossroads of needing evolution at the most important position on the field.
This offseason, the Dolphins will have to ask themselves poignant questions: what path will they take to safeguard their quarterback situation? Will they invest serious resources and time to scout potential prospects? Can they hold onto Tua and still implement plans for enhancing their QB depth? The dawn of 2025 promises many discussions and decisions for the Miami Dolphins, but what remains clear is Tagovailoa's injuries can't be ignored—they've altered the franchise's future and their expectations for the immediate term.