Marcel Louis-JacquesSep 25, 2025, 06:46 PM ETCloseMarcel Louis-Jacques joined ESPN in 2019 as a beat reporter covering the Buffalo Bills, before switching to the Miami Dolphins in 2021. The former Carolina Panthers beat writer for the Charlotte Observer won the APSE award for breaking news and the South Carolina Press Association award for enterprise writing in 2018.Follow on X
Tua Tagovailoa responds to critics: ‘Anybody can play quarterback then’ (0:29)Tua Tagovailoa responds to whether his contract draws more scrutiny than his play, saying it’s easier to criticize than to perform under the spotlight. (0:29)
“What you’re being paid, what you’re asked to do, what you have the capability of — from one quarterback to the another, I look at the situation like come on, dawg. Especially when you’ve got a Ferrari and a Lamborghini and other amenities that other quarterbacks wish they had.”
Tagovailoa admitted he hasn’t played “anywhere near” the standard he’s capable of, but dismissed Newton’s comments in response to football pundits as a whole.
“I think it’s easy to do that. I think anybody can do that. I don’t think anybody can play quarterback.”
Tagovailoa’s five touchdown passes are tied for seventh most in the NFL through three games, but his four interceptions are tied for second most.
He also ranks 29th in quarterback rating with a 35.8, and his 6.4 air yards per attempt ranks 25th. He has turned the ball over in all three of Miami’s games this season as the team started 0-3 for the first time since 2019.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Tagovailoa can always improve but praised his quarterback’s mentality during the team’s losing streak.
“He’s focused on being 1-0 against the New York Jets and that’s why I know he’s capable and I’m excited to see his next opportunity that we work on all week because of just that, of being focused on the right things.”
Tagovailoa led the NFL in passing yards in 2023, in what remains the only season he did not miss a game. He missed a career-high six games because of various injuries in 2024 and insists that “getting down” and protecting himself is a priority in 2025.
“The game of a franchise quarterback is never just still … there’s opportunities that he needs to take advantage of,” McDaniel said. “There’s also a ton of opportunities to turn the ball over that he hasn’t taken. He’s really answered the bell for 99% of the time. … It’s not an easy task to be in his shoes, but I’m very happy with where his mind is at and where his focus is at because if he was a weaker-minded individual, it’s tough for any quarterback during any losing streak or any whatever.
Tua Tagovailoa responds to critics: ‘Anybody can play quarterback then’ (0:29)Tua Tagovailoa responds to whether his contract draws more scrutiny than his play, saying it’s easier to criticize than to perform under the spotlight. (0:29)
Tua Tagovailoa responds to whether his contract draws more scrutiny than his play, saying it’s easier to criticize than to perform under the spotlight. (0:29)
CloseMarcel Louis-Jacques joined ESPN in 2019 as a beat reporter covering the Buffalo Bills, before switching to the Miami Dolphins in 2021. The former Carolina Panthers beat writer for the Charlotte Observer won the APSE award for breaking news and the South Carolina Press Association award for enterprise writing in 2018.Follow on X