The NFL trade deadline was Tuesday, but Tua Tagovailoa remains with the Dolphins.
Despite rumors of Miami having an interest in Deshaun Watson, no deal was done. Chris Grier, the Dolphins’ general manager, was available Wednesday to speak to the media.
He said a lot of the rumors/reports have been false about trading Tagovailoa.
Chris Grier: A lot of the reports have been false. We have spoken with Tua. We believe in Tua. We have had communication with Tua.
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) November 3, 2021
“We have spoken with Tua,” Grier said. “We believe in Tua. We have had communications with Tua.”
RELATED: Miami Dolphins continue to egregiously mishandle Tua Tagovailoa trade rumors ahead of deadline
With the Dolphins not pulling the trigger on Watson, it gives Tagovailoa a chance to prove he belongs. He turned in two strong performances versus Jacksonville and Atlanta — completing 75 percent of his passes for 620 yards with six touchdowns. Miami can fix its offense more in the 2022 NFL Draft; however, Tagovailoa knows he has nine games to salvage his standing with the team. He wants to prove it to himself, but according to Joe Schad of Palm Beach Post, Tagovailoa’s father is his ‘biggest critic.’
Tua says he wants to show himself how well he can play. It’s not about others. His biggest critic is his Dad. It’s been like that his entire life. Good is never good enough.
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) November 3, 2021
Galu Tagovailoa has been tough on his son since childhood. He has pushed Tua to be better than good. His dad challenged him in the Elite 11 quarterback competition and at Alabama. Tagovailoa is driven to be great, and the Dolphins want to see it.
When questions came up about Watson or Justin Herbert, Grier said “we are happy with Tua.”
Tagovailoa and the Dolphins face Houston this week.
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber-only content!*
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
