Miami Dolphins: 3 players on the hot seat after start of free agency
![Jan 3, 2021; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) hands the ball off to running back Myles Gaskin (37) against the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter at Bills Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports Jan 3, 2021; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) hands the ball off to running back Myles Gaskin (37) against the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter at Bills Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fphinphanatic-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2018-2F08-2F15391509-850x560-c12a76a1baaee18d095c964b68437b366383f61d612357770098725fdf7b27d2.jpg)
Tua Tagovailoa
Let’s face it: Tua Tagovailoa is always on the hot seat. Whether it was being mishandled by the Brian Flores regime or the owner of the team doubling down on going after Deshaun Watson mid-season, it is safe to say that Tua has never felt comfortable in Miami.
There is a new regime in town, of course, and they have said all of the right things in order to instill confidence in Tagovailoa and in the fan base. But that doesn’t change the fact that he has not yet shown us that he can be an elite quarterback. And in the NFL, if you’re not elite, you can bet that your team will be looking for the next guy who is.
Some fans on Dolphins Twitter were optimistic when Jacoby Brissett took over for an injured Tagovailoa last season, but that turned in to nothing short of a dumpster fire. Miami will have a new backup this season, however, and some are already saying that Teddy Bridgewater is already the more competent of the two quarterbacks.
It would be far-fetched to think that the Dolphins would welcome a quarterback competition in training camp, and Tua will absolutely be the starter for Week 1. But if he happens to go down with an injury (knock on wood), he’d better hope that Bridgewater doesn’t ball out, or it could be the end of Tagovailoa’s time in Miami.