Tua Tagovailoa is not the Miami Dolphins’ biggest concern on offense

The Miami Dolphins have been the most talked-about NFL team this offseason. A large majority of all the talk is centered around starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

Tagovailoa, who seems like one of the nicest guys on the planet, has somehow become a punching bag for some NFL media members and fans. It seems like every single day this offseason, Tagovailoa’s name has been in the news, some good, but mostly all bad.

It’s popular to mention that Miami should trade Tagovailoa and multiple first-round picks for any quarterback that may become available. It has also become a trend to discredit and write off Tagovailoa after starting nine games in his rookie season. It’s worth noting that in those nine games, Tagovailoa was not awful, and he showed signs of potential in them.

With all that in mind, it really seems like the pressure is on for Tagovailoa to succeed in 2021. Yes, it is only Year 2, and I believe he should be given time to develop further, but the dynamic has changed in the NFL regarding quarterbacks.

Some media members and fans have said that Tagovailoa will hold the Dolphins’ offense back or that Tagovailoa is the biggest question mark on offense, and that just isn’t accurate.

While Tagovailoa will surely need to progress, he shouldn’t even be close to the top of the list for worry’s on offense for the Dolphins and their fans in 2021.

No. 1 on that list should be the co-offensive coordinators, Eric Studesville and George Godsey.

I have been vocal on the fact that I think co-offensive coordinators can easily work in the NFL, and it’s not as crazy as some fans believe. However, one of my main points on why it could work was about having someone be the Alpha and the guy calling plays.

Who will that be for Miami in 2021? Regardless of who it is for Miami, fans and the media should be focusing on that aspect of the Dolphins’ offense more than Tagovailoa. The only problem is X’s and O’s talk won’t generate as many clicks as bashing Tagovailoa would.

Miami did a great job of adding weapons to their offense, but my only concern is will the co-offensive coordinators use them to the best of their abilities?

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Dolphins fans complained that former offensive coordinator Chan Gailey was not calling plays that best suited Tagovailoa’s skill set. And while I agree with that assessment, I don’t think fans should think just because Gailey is gone in 2021 that things will get better.

Let’s not forget that head coach Brian Flores was the one allowing Gailey to run the offense he was. That’s a concerning aspect of this entire situation because who is to say Flores wouldn’t let the new co-offensive coordinators go rogue and do their own thing as well?

It’s also worth noting that this will be Flores’ 3rd and technically 4th offensive coordinator (since they are co-OC) he has had since taking over in 2019.

Flores fired Chad O’Shea after the 2019 season, and you can come up with whatever conclusion you want on what went down with Gailey at the end of this season. Regardless, why people are wasting time bashing Tagovailoa, it’s covering up the actual major concern in Miami.

I do not like to make excuses for NFL players, but I’m already setting the stage for Tagovailoa to have one if Godsey and Studesville can’t figure it out in 2021, and history shows you that has a high chance of being the case.

While I’m sure the Dolphins don’t like seeing the franchise quarterback dragged on social media daily, I am certain they are happy that the focus isn’t on their terrible offensive coordinator decisions by Flores.

I believe the Miami offense is ready to take off in 2021, but Tagovailoa won’t be the reason they could be held back. If Miami struggles on offense next season, my money would be on it being the co-offensive coordinators causing the struggles, not Tagovailoa.