This season has been the worst season for Tua Tagovailoa's health, but it has also been the best season for him to prove his worth to the team. miami dolphins. Despite losing to Josh Allen for the second time this season, Tua's 25-of-28 passing completion (2 completions) in Week 9 was one of Josh Allen's best performances. . Any QB This year, the Dolphins offer hope that missing the playoffs won't require rebuilding Miami's roster (Also) 2025.
If they can keep Tua straight and guarantee he's doing the right thing by continuing to play.
redemption date
In his final game before going on IR with another head injury, Tua threw 3 interceptions in a 31-10 loss to the Bills, but on that day Allen had a +0.50 EPA per dropback, which is the highest this season. He was 16th best as a QB.
In Tua's second game back from IR, he played again against Buffalo, going 25-of-28 for 231 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs, and +0.59 EPA per dropback. 10th place result This season.
Hit @TuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuutaTua Tagovailoa's EPA per dropback today was 0.62 against the Bills. This would be the ninth-highest single-game EPA/dropback of any quarterback in 2024.
Tua is the only one of the top nine to lose a match.
— Matt Infante (@MattInfante) November 3, 2024
QBs with an EPA/dropback of +0.46 or better are 17-2 this season, with the losses coming to Tua in Week 9 and Joe Burrow in a 41-38 loss to the Ravens in Week 5. (Burrow has won two of the top 20) This year he went 0-2 in EPA/dropback matches. )
A week before his return from injury, Tua experienced the following symptoms: really good +0.22 EPA/Dropback in a 28-27 loss to the Cardinals. But even though the Dolphins are 0-2 since Tua's return, they are once again playing as if Miami were still the good team they were supposed to be at the beginning of the season.
- The Dolphins scored a total of 40 points (10 PPG) in the four games Tua missed.
- The Dolphins have scored 54 points (27 PPG) in the two games since his return.
Tua's superpower
According to NFL Pro stats, Tua is the fastest draw in the league. His 2.39 second throw is the fastest in the league by a wide margin, and his 57.8% quick throw rate (removing the ball within 2.5 seconds) is also excellent. best mark.
There is no other QB on the roster to which he can be compared fairly, as the Dolphins do not have a solid backup plan. But in his last game, Tyler Huntley was throwing the ball an average of 3.3 seconds from the snap, one of the slowest marks in the league.
NFL offenses are built at the quarterback's feet, so Mike McDaniel's weekly plans would have to change drastically without Tua, and it would probably feel pointless to even try. What can the Dolphins do to avoid losing Tua in the future?
Well, the unfortunate answer for McDaniel is that when your QB is as unique as Tua, there may not be anything you can do. It would be great if he kicked the ball that fast and accurately. why The Dolphins signed Tua to a four-year, $212 million contract extension before the season.
And in Miami It was done It's fun to draft a quarterback as insurance, but it's an opportunity to draft a player who can help Tua, like another receiver (Tyreek Hill turns 31 next year) or a big body up front that can stop Tua. will be taken away.
At this point, it's clear to everyone that this version of the Dolphins is not going to be successful. without it Tua. The only question that remains is how much can the Dolphins afford to lose games and miss the playoffs with the same plan?
