Dan Marino, the legendary quarterback of the Miami Dolphins, recently expressed his confidence in Tua Tagovailoa’s ability to lead the team to a Super Bowl. Marino’s endorsement of Tagovailoa holds weight in South Florida, where he is considered the biggest star in Dolphins history. However, while fans may be eager to see Tagovailoa receive a long-term extension, the front office may have their reservations.
Tagovailoa himself has mentioned his belief that an extension will happen, but as of now, he is set to play the final year of his rookie deal without an extension in place. The past two years have been statistically impressive for Tagovailoa, with career highs in touchdown passes, yards, and completion percentage. However, it seems that the Dolphins’ management is waiting to see more from him before committing to a long-term extension.
One factor that may be contributing to their caution is injury concerns. Tagovailoa had his 2022 season cut short due to multiple concussions, which raised questions about his long-term durability. However, this season, he started all 17 games and put up impressive numbers, leading the league in passing yards and throwing 29 touchdowns.
While some may argue that Tagovailoa’s success is partially due to the presence of talented wide receiver Tyreek Hill, it is undeniable that he has shown his abilities on the field. Allowing him to enter free agency after his fifth year without securing a long-term deal would be a significant risk for the Dolphins. Losing him without having a backup plan in place would be a major mistake.
With Tagovailoa at the helm and a high-powered offense, the Dolphins have the potential to make deep playoff runs. If the defense can become more consistent, Miami could become a true contender in the coming years. However, to ensure stability and peace of mind, the Dolphins must handle the contract situation with Tagovailoa promptly.
In addition to expressing his confidence in Tagovailoa, Marino made another appearance where he discussed his own abilities in today’s game. He boldly claimed that he would throw for 6,000 yards in a season if he played in the modern era. Marino was the first quarterback in NFL history to pass for 5,000 yards in a season back in 1984 when the league was more run-oriented and defenses were more aggressive.
Marino’s statement highlights how much the game has changed over the years, with offenses becoming the priority and rule changes favoring high-scoring games. In today’s pass-heavy era, it’s likely that Marino’s exceptional talent would have allowed him to reach even greater heights.
Ultimately, Marino’s endorsement of Tagovailoa carries weight in Miami, given his status as the biggest star in Dolphins history. If Tagovailoa can continue to improve and achieve even a fraction of what Marino accomplished in his career, he has the potential to become a Dolphins lifer. Resolving the contract situation will bring peace of mind to both the team and its fans, ensuring a bright future for the franchise.
