Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is struggling through what many deem the worst season of his career, a situation compounded by Miami being mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. Coach Mike McDaniel is now faced with pressing questions about whether a change at quarterback is necessary.
Tagovailoa’s performance has sharply declined this season. With three games still remaining, he has already set career highs in both interceptions and sacks. Notably, he has thrown 15 interceptions this season—more than double the seven he threw in the previous year, despite having attempted more passes last year.
The Dolphins appeared to have found a brief period of success, achieving a four-game winning streak, but this success was not centered on Tagovailoa’s performance. Instead, it relied heavily on a robust rushing game, minimizing Tagovailoa’s passing attempts. In fact, during that favorable stretch, his passing output decreased significantly, suggesting that the team’s strategy was to mitigate the chances of him making costly mistakes.
Currently, Tagovailoa leads the league in interceptions among quarterbacks and does so while struggling to deliver significant plays. Among all quarterbacks who have started every game this season, only Titans rookie Cam Ward has fewer passing yards and touchdowns than Tagovailoa.
Despite the pressing need for a potential switch at quarterback, parting ways with Tagovailoa will present its own challenges, as the Dolphins are committed to paying him $54 million guaranteed next year. As the team looks ahead to the future, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to envision a successful path forward in 2026 with a quarterback whose performance has raised concerns during this disappointing season.
The situation is delicate, but there is hope that with the right adjustments and support, changes could lead to rejuvenation for both Tagovailoa and the Dolphins. Fans and analysts alike will be keenly observing how the team navigates these challenges in the coming weeks.