Former Arizona Cardinals signal-caller Kurt Warner stood up for Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after NFL analyst Greg Cosell directed some harsh comments the 26-year-old’s way.
Cosell said that Tagovailoa’s talent level limits him in the sense that he can only be a timing and rhythm thrower.
“He can’t be more than that because his talent level does not allow that…”@GregCosell diving into Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa’s tape this spring: pic.twitter.com/Zz8xZ0cNxH
— Ross Tucker Podcast (@RossTuckerPod) June 7, 2024
“You guys know I love you…but what does that mean?” Warner posted on X (formerly known as Twitter). “His talent of quick processing, anticipation & accuracy would make 90% of NFL QBs better, but we act as if he doesn’t have the talent to be great!
“What I believe is the Offense & Tua must improve on is getting beyond their #1 option…that ability to give quality compliments & the ability of Tua to get to them when available is their biggest short-coming IMO & that’s not ‘talent’ based so to speak!
“Thoughts?”
Cosell’s comments come just a few days after wide receiver Tyreek Hill said that the Dolphins should have already handed Tagovailoa a contract extension by now. The upcoming 2024 season will mark the fifth year of his rookie contract that he inked with Miami.
Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill on Tua Tagovailoa’s contract negotiations with the team:
“Tua should’ve been paid — I’ve been saying this the whole time. I know we’ve got a great front office … they’re going to take care of him.”
— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) June 4, 2024
Last month, it was reported that Tagovailoa has been putting in the work this offseason in order to enhance his game. According to NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe, Tagovailoa has lost a significant amount of weight.
I’m told Tua Tagovailoa dropped 10-15 pounds — down to 220 pounds, his ideal playing weight this year — seeking more agility/escapability
Here’s why lower weight doesn’t mean more injury concern for Dolphins. Talking Tua w/ @TomPelissero & @judybattista @nflnetwork The Insiders: pic.twitter.com/UL8Bxa9ejJ
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) May 21, 2024
Tagovailoa is far from a flawless quarterback and underperformed in Miami’s playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in January — he threw for just 199 yards and totaled the same number of interceptions (one) as he did touchdowns — but his talent is unquestionable.
Few players at his position can make legitimate arguments that they fared better than Tagovailoa did during the 2023 regular season. After sitting out multiple games the season prior, he suited up in every one of the Dolphins’ 17 regular-season contests and ranked tops in the NFL in total passing yards (4,624).
He racked up the eighth-most passing yards of any player in their fourth season in the history of the league and registered more than the likes of Tony Romo and Matt Ryan did during that point in their careers.
On top of that, he averaged 11.9 yards gained per pass completion, 8.3 yards gained per pass attempt and finished with a passer rating of 101.1 and quarterback rating of 60.8.
While Tagovailoa certainly has room for improvement as he heads into his fifth NFL season, he has already staked his claim as one of the most talented players at his position in the league.