Tua Tagovailoa threw for 4,624 yards last season and was selected to his first career Pro Bowl.
The Miami Dolphins held their offseason workout on Tuesday, with Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel noting his quarterback’s progress and saying he believes the upcoming season will be Tagovailoa’s best yet.
“[Tagovailoa] “He had two practices last week and we saw some growth and development within what we specifically asked of him,” McDaniel said.
“So, we’re super excited. At this point, we’re like, ‘OK, let’s really push ourselves to really challenge this guy,’ because all he’s going to do at the end of the day is rise to the challenge within the parameters of what we’re asking of him. I don’t think it’s crazy to expect the same or more in-game growth every year. I think it’s a pretty safe expectation for us to expect the same or more going from year two to year three, and I know he feels the same way.”
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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) talks with Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel during a timeout against the Washington Commanders at FedExField on Dec. 3, 2023 in Landover, Maryland. (Jeff Burke/USA Today Sports)
The 2024 season will be a key year for Tagovailoa’s NFL future, as the 26-year-old is in the final year of his rookie contract after the Dolphins exercised the quarterback’s fifth-year option in March 2023.
The Dolphins are believed to be in talks about a possible new contract.
Dolphins’ Mike McDaniel offered some advice to players following Harrison Butker’s speech: “You better believe it.”
Tagovailoa’s teammates also seemed pleased with the way their point guard performed during practice.
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel talks with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) before a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Hard Rock Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Jacen Vinlove/USA Today Sports)
“He’s gaining confidence, you can see that right away,” running back Raheem Mostert said. “You see him out here throwing, he’s doing what he needs to do, and that’s what you want from a guy like him.”
McDaniel said he’s noticed an increase in Tagovailoa’s passing velocity, which he attributes to offseason training with John Beck, who was the Washington Commanders quarterback when McDaniel was with the team in 2011.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) leaves the field after a loss against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium on January 7, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Matthias J. Ochner/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
“If you make the effort to stay connected to your game and mine every inch of your professional growth, that in itself is a step in the right direction,” McDaniel said.
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While Tagovailoa’s physical transformation has been noticeable, McDaniel said his goal last offseason wasn’t just to gain weight.
“That’s a very understandable misconception,” McDaniel said. “Last year, he didn’t do any weight training in the offseason. It was just strength training. … His strength has improved, but we felt he could rework his body and get a little lighter in his step while still maintaining the same strength.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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