In the high-stakes world of the NFL, player-coach relationships can often make or break a season. The Miami Dolphins have found themselves at the heart of such a drama, with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's recent comments shining a light on former head coach Brian Flores and the impact of their strained relationship.
The Early Days
Tagovailoa, the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, entered the league with high expectations. Yet, from the outset, whispers emerged that Flores might have preferred Justin Herbert, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers, over Tagovailoa. General Manager Chris Grier, however, had the final say in picking Tagovailoa.
Tagovailoa's rookie season saw him thrust into action in Week 6 against the New York Jets and starting by Week 8 against the Los Angeles Rams. Despite these milestones, Flores made notable mid-game substitutions, pulling Tagovailoa for veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick in the fourth quarter of a Week 11 matchup against the Denver Broncos and again in Week 16 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Turmoil and Transformation
The turbulence only intensified in the 2021 season with reports of the Dolphins’ interest in trading for quarterback Deshaun Watson. Amid this speculation, Flores’ tenure with the Dolphins came to an end in January 2022 after a respectable 9-8 season record, leading to the appointment of Mike McDaniel as the new head coach.
A New Chapter Under McDaniel
The arrival of McDaniel marked a significant shift in the atmosphere for Tagovailoa. McDaniel's support and belief in Tagovailoa's potential have already paid dividends. Under McDaniel’s guidance, Tagovailoa led the NFL in passer rating in 2022 and followed it up with a league-leading performance in passing yards in 2023.
Reflecting on the transition and the profound shift in the support he now receives, Tagovailoa noted, “I think support for any of us as players means a lot. We understand that the NFL is a tough industry. It's tough to play because you're playing against the best every Sunday. But to be able to have support of the head coach, the head guy, that should tell you a lot.”
The Flores Factor
Tagovailoa's recent criticism of Flores has been at the center of ongoing discussions. He likened the experience to waking up daily and being told he wasn't good enough. “To put it in the simplest terms, if you woke up every morning and I told you that you suck at what you did, that you don't belong doing what you do, that you shouldn't be here, that this guy should be here, that you haven't earned this. And then you have somebody else come in and tell you, 'Dude, you are the best fit for this. You're accurate. You're the best whatever, you're this, you're that.' How would it make you feel listening to one or the other?” Tagovailoa said.
For Flores, now a linebackers coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the comments from Tagovailoa have been a moment of reflection. “Look, I'm human. So that hit me in a way that wasn't positive for me. But at the same time, I've got to use that and say, 'Hey, how can I grow from that? How can I be better?' And that's really where I'm at from that standpoint,” Flores shared. “Do I feel like that's me? No. But how can I grow from that situation and create a world where that's not the case that anyone says that about Brian Flores?”
The Impact of Coaching on Performance
Tagovailoa has openly credited the positive changes under McDaniel for his recent success. “I just feel like there are so many things that have happened. There are a lot of changes, and a lot of good changes, I guess, with the people that we've picked up and the guys that we've acquired as well. The locker room feels different,” he observed.
McDaniel, for his part, has been unabashedly supportive and focused on nurturing Tagovailoa’s talent. “We're gonna have an extensive professional relationship, my man. One thing I know about you is, you have the ambition to be great. My job is to coach you to get all that greatness out of you,” McDaniel expressed. “This is an awesome day for me, and I'm damn sure gonna make sure that when you look back on this day, you're gonna be like, 'Damn, that was one of the best days of my career, too.' But I'll earn that from you, you got me?”
The Road Ahead
As Tagovailoa continues to evolve and grow under McDaniel's coaching, the early challenges with Flores serve as a stark reminder of the crucial role that coaching dynamics play in a player's development. For the Dolphins, the future looks promising with a head coach and quarterback in harmony, aiming to build on the successes of the past seasons.