The veteran players for the Miami Dolphins reported to the Baptist Health Training Complex Tuesday to start the last process before training camp. Everyone expected to participate arrived on time and ready to go. Including one player that has gripped the franchise all summer. In the midst of contract negotiations, first-string quarterback Tua Tagovailoa arrived to report to camp. On his fifth — and last — year on his rookie contract, the 2024 NFL passing yards leader enters camp without a new deal. The question of if he would show up to training camp is now over.
Tagovailoa hasn’t spoken to the media since he arrived, but his name came across almost every player and head coach Mike McDaniels. With no real time table still on Tagovailoa’s deal, he takes the field for an unpredictable training camp. Just about everyone in the building had something to say.
Star Wide Receiver Duo Confident in Tua’s Participation Throughout Camp
Dolphins wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle have advocated for their quarterback since OTAs. Both top receiving options said that Tagovailoa is excited to be back in the building and won’t be a distraction throughout camp. When Waddle saw the franchise quarterback in the morning of report day, “It was regular,” he said.
“He’s going to be practicing, playing, whatever,” Waddle said. “Tua is one of those guys who loves the game, likes being out there with us, so it’s not going to be a distraction.”
This actually isn’t the first time toward training camp that the veterans on the team saw Tagovailoa. Him and his wife, Annah, hosted many Dolphin players and their families to a pre-training camp party. One of those in attendance at the party was Hill, who also is in the midst of his own contract negotiations for an extension.
Hill, 30, reported into his ninth year in the league feeling the to be in the best shape he’s ever felt. The Pro-Bowler claimed to have registered with 6% body fat. Hill said his quarterback is in great spirits and “believes” Tagovailoa will participate through camp without a contract because of how competitive he is.
“Tua is very competitive,” Hill said. “He doesn’t like to fall too far behind — he understands that we have a really good team. He doesn’t want to miss this window. We have a great offense, defense is looking really good, so I believe he’s going to practice.”
Mostert Sticking With Tua No Matter What Happens
Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert had nothing but praise to give to Tagovailoa. The 5-foot-10-inch runner believes his quarterback has done enough work to show that he is the best option for the organization moving forward. Mostert had nothing negative to say about Tagovailoa. He even claimed his quarterback of two years as the best leader for not just the locker room, but also for the organization.
“I think Tua is very well deserving of the opportunity to get a contract extension,” Mostert said. “He’s worked his tail off — especially since I’ve started playing with him. I’ve seen nothing but growth…the leadership that he portrayed, not only for the team, but for the organization is definitely top notch.”
Prior to today’s practice, Mostert also emphasized his support of Tagovailoa if he did decide to not practice in camp, or not show up at all. Still, the running back didn’t want to say anything else on the subject and left it for the quarterbacks team, he said.
“I think it could be the right move and guys in the locker room definitely understand that,” Mostert said yesterday. “Tua is Tua, and he’s always putting the team first. That’s how I see it and everybody in the locker room sees it.”
McDaniels on Tua’s Participation in Camp and His Situation
McDaniels’ first question to open training camp this morning was immediately directed toward Tagovailoa, and he didn’t hiccup. The two-year head coach acknowledged his quarterback’s situation and that he’s in good communication with him. McDaniels described it as “very fluid”.
“It’s an important situation for both the organization, and Tua and his family,” McDaniels said. “Everybody is aware of the importance to everyone, so I don’t need to remind anybody about that. I think when you’re working in a healthy organization, there’s enough empathy that I know that he wants that contract done and he knows that there’s different things that evolve if there’s not…everyone is trying their best to get a deal done, so we have to rely on that and hope.”
The head coach plans to see Tagovailoa to work in a limited capacity — similar to what he did in OTAs. The Polynesian quarterback participated today, but limited himself to 7-on-7 work instead of doing 11-on-11 drills. Tagovailoa is expected to stay in this loop until a contract is done to keep himself active on the field.
Main Image: Sam Navarro – USA Today Sports
