To say it’s been a challenging season for the Miami Dolphins would be an understatement. Just three games into the season, Miami is 0-3, and a lot of the pressure is being put on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to perform at a higher level.
Former NFL quarterback Cam Newton, now a host on ESPN’s First Take and recently trading verbal jabs with the Dolphins signal caller, says this is a unique kind of pressure.
“There’s two different pressures,” Newton said. “Pressure to get paid... and then there’s also this pressure that we’re seeing Tua faced with right now: paid pressure.
“When you have paid pressure — I witnessed that similar to me in Carolina. I signed a $100 million contract. At that time some even questioned: ‘Cam? Y’all paid Cam that?’
“The following year we went to the Super Bowl. So, for him... $53 million dollars, bro... And I list off how many quarterbacks you’re making more money than. Now you’re starting to feel like now I have to do something and that’s the pressure.”
How much is Tua Tagovailoa making?
Tagovailoa signed a four-year, $212.4 million extension last offseason, coming off a Pro Bowl season.
On average, Tagovailoa is making $53.1 million, which ranks sixth among all NFL quarterbacks, according to Spotrac. That’s more than Jared Goff, Brock Purdy, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts and Kyler Murray.
Tua Tagovailoa appears to call out Cam Newton
Tagovailoa recently clapped back at Newton’s original comments after the Dolphins lost their Thursday Night Football matchup to the Buffalo Bills. Down by seven and driving down the field, Tagovailoa threw an interception that ended Miami’s hopes of beating one of the NFL’s best.
“I want to see anybody on the streets come play QB,” Tagovailoa said. “Cam is doing his thing, but I think it’s easier to hold a clicker and talk about what someone else is doing wrong when you’re not out there having to do the same.”
The criticism, whether from Newton or others, is fairly warranted. After Tagovailoa became more of a vocal leader this season, the onus for the Dolphins’ success has been placed squarely on him.
That said, Tagovailoa this season has thrown five touchdowns to four interceptions — with those picks often coming in crucial moments — and has a QBR of 35.7.