As Tua Tagovailoa gears up for his crucial Year 5 in the NFL, and third season under the guidance of head coach Mike McDaniel, expectations are soaring in the Miami Dolphins camp for the quarterback to reach new heights. McDaniel, addressing the media, expressed strong confidence in Tagovailoa’s ability to progress.
During a recent media session, the spotlight wasn’t just on Tagovailoa’s noticeable weight loss of 10-15 pounds — which has already been a hot topic — but McDaniel highlighted another significant development in his quarterback’s performance:
“Tua Tagovailoa’s throws are coming in with added velocity, something that’s caught the attention during OTAs,” McDaniel shared, acknowledging the influence of Tua’s new personal coach, John Beck, on this improvement.
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) May 28, 2024
The positive changes in Tagovailoa’s game have left Coach McDaniel and others within the Dolphins organization impressed. With an offseason emphasis on strengthening his arm, Tagovailoa, who led the league with 4,624 passing yards last season, seems poised to curtail some of the decision-making issues that led to 14 interceptions.
The connection between increased throw power and reducing risky, tightly windowed passes is clear. While McDaniel doesn’t want Tagovailoa to abandon caution, the enhanced arm strength should certainly aid in refining his playmaking decisions.
The involvement of personal QB coach John Beck is noteworthy, especially given Beck’s history with McDaniel during their time together with Washington in 2011. This relational thread between coach and quarterback through Beck seems to be fostering a beneficial dynamic for Tagovailoa’s development.
Following a challenging conclusion to the 2023 season, it’s evident that Tagovailoa is driven to overcome criticism with his revamped physique and sharper throws. As the 2024 season approaches, the question remains whether these enhancements will translate into the Dolphins capturing the AFC East title and making a significant playoff push. The evolving narrative around Tagovailoa’s career is yet another reminder of the NFL’s ever-present drama and spectacle, leaving fans and analysts alike eagerly awaiting the unfolding of the Dolphins’ campaign.
