{"id":54535,"date":"2025-06-09T03:22:36","date_gmt":"2025-06-09T03:22:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=54535"},"modified":"2025-06-09T03:22:36","modified_gmt":"2025-06-09T03:22:36","slug":"dolphins-teammates-and-coaches-notice-growth-in-tua-tagovailoas-leadership","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=54535","title":{"rendered":"Dolphins Teammates and Coaches Notice Growth in Tua Tagovailoa\u2019s Leadership"},"content":{"rendered":"

T<\/a>ua Tagovailoa’s status as the\u00a0Miami Dolphins’ starting\u00a0quarterback\u00a0\u2013 and even a professional football player\u00a0\u2013 have been compromised on multiple occasions. Tagovailoa has had some strong seasons as the team’s primary signal caller, but a series of injuries (most notably, concussions in 2022 and 2024) have nearly jeopardized his career.<\/p>\n

But as he enters his sixth season in the\u00a0NFL, Tagovailoa has taken strides in becoming a stronger leader in the Dolphins’ locker room. A number of his teammates, including wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and offensive tackle Austin Jackson, have taken notice.<\/p>\n

“He\u00a0looks confident, coming out with a different swag. He\u2019s got dye in his hair and some other stuff,” Waddle said. “He looks like he\u2019s just eager to play.\u201d<\/p>\n

“He’s definitely a lot more confident and decisive on and off the field. He knows what people are supposed to be doing in terms of training. He knows what we\u2019re doing on the field. He knows how to take care of his body. He knows how to unite guys, bring us together for team camaraderie and stuff, just to get together,” Jackson added. “He\u2019s a full-blown leader, and I think he\u2019s showing that he wants to take control of this team. And he is.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) attempts a pass against the San Francisco 49ers during second half at Hard Rock Stadium.<\/p>\n

\"Miami<\/p>\n

Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Tagovailoa has also received praise from head coach Mike McDaniel, who has seen Tagovailoa take over plays on the practice field with his vocal leadership.<\/p>\n

“He’s had most ownership of all the players on each and every down, particularly in non-passing downs. There were double motions where he was aligning people appropriately. He really had command and resolve within the practice of things,” McDaniel said. “Sometimes, football for a quarterback can be uniquely challenging because you have the ownership of the operation of the whole unit.”<\/p>\n