Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa spent the first two seasons of his NFL career with Brian Flores as his head coach.

Tagovailoa was still trying to find his footing at the pro level at the time and had yet to establish himself as one of the league’s more talented quarterbacks.

The Dolphins fired Flores after Miami finished the 2021 season with a 9-8 record, and while Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald reports that Tagovailoa didn’t get Flores relieved of his duties, Tagovailoa apparently did issue an ultimatum to the team.

Flores spent three seasons in total as the head coach of the Dolphins, and Miami had mixed results during his tenure. The team had a 24-25 record in the regular season with him leading the way. He was never able to lead the Dolphins to the playoffs.

Tagovailoa hasn’t spoken all that highly of Flores since his stint with the Dolphins came to an end. In August of last year, he insinuated that a “terrible” Flores told him he sucked at what he did and didn’t belong.

Flores later responded to Tagovailoa’s comments and said he was happy for the quarterback’s success. He also said that Tagovailoa calling him a terrible person hit him in a way that he “wouldn’t say was positive.”

Flores is the current defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota finished the 2024 season with a very impressive 14-3 record but flamed out early on in the playoffs.

It’s safe to claim that Tagovailoa has enjoyed plenty more individual and collective success under current Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel than he did under Flores. Tagovailoa has had some very good statistical seasons under McDaniel, and Miami has also made the playoffs multiple times since McDaniel took over the team’s coaching reins.

Tagovailoa, McDaniel and the Dolphins will aim for their third playoff appearance of the last four seasons in the 2025 campaign. Miami narrowly missed out on the playoffs a season ago with a record of 8-9 and now needs to bounce back.