The Phinsider
Since the news was announced on Wednesday that Tua Tagovailoa would no longer be the starting quarterback for the Miami Dolphins this year, opinions on the decision, the player, the team, etc., have been tossed around more than the pigskin will be during Sunday’s game.
One former NFL player — star EDGE rusher J.J. Watt — released a video on social media in which he criticizes the former Dolphins starting quarterback for his behavior following Miami’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night.
In the video, Tagovailoa can be seen joking and laughing with former Dolphins defensive back, Jalen Ramsey. Ramsey was traded to Pittsburgh in the offseason and rumors immediately started flying about his poor attitude while with Miami.
Watt had this to say about the optics surrounding Ramsey and Tagovailoa’s interaction following the game:
“I’m a believer in there is like at least a minimum responsibility on the optics and everything with the fan base and understanding how everybody’s feeling after a certain game or after the way the season is going. I’m not sitting here saying don’t laugh or you can’t talk to a friend after a game or anything like that, but I do think there are some optics of when you’re cracking up, belly laughing on the field after you just lost a huge game in that way to be eliminated from the playoffs. That’s a look that doesn’t go over well whether it’s with certain other players in the locker room, whether it’s with ownership, whether it’s with the fan base, there is a responsibility, especially when you’re the highest paid player on the team, and you are the leader of the organization.”
“That’s just not a good look. Truthfully. Point-blank. You can’t be doing that after a huge loss.”
Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals will mark a new era in Miami Dolphins football as rookie 7th round draft pick Quinn Ewers will get the start for the team, and in doing so, will get to audition for an opportunity to be the team’s starting quarterback in 2026.
One thing that has become increasingly clear — Tua Tagovailoa’s time in Miami is likely over.
