The Miami Dolphins have had a rollercoaster ride of a season so far, with injuries and inconsistencies plaguing the team. One of the biggest concerns for the Dolphins has been the health of their star quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa. After suffering a serious hip injury in his final year of college, there have been questions about whether Tagovailoa can stay healthy in the NFL. With the 2025 season approaching, the Dolphins are faced with the decision of whether to bank on being without Tagovailoa for a stretch or not. As a die-hard Dolphins fan, it pains me to even consider this possibility, but let’s take a closer look at the situation and see if it’s a risk worth taking.
First of all, let’s acknowledge the undeniable talent that Tagovailoa possesses. He was a standout quarterback in college, leading the Alabama Crimson Tide to a national championship and being named the 2018 SEC Offensive Player of the Year. His accuracy, poise, and decision-making on the field were second to none, making him the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft. The Dolphins saw something special in Tagovailoa, and he has shown flashes of his potential in his limited playing time so far.
However, the issue at hand is Tagovailoa’s injury history. The hip injury he suffered in college was significant and required surgery, which raised concerns among NFL teams leading up to the draft. The Dolphins took a calculated risk in selecting him, and unfortunately, it has already had consequences. Tagovailoa has already dealt with multiple injuries in his short NFL career, including a thumb injury and a rib injury. This raises the question, can the Dolphins rely on Tagovailoa to stay healthy for a full season in 2025?
Some may argue that it’s too early to be thinking about the 2025 season, and they have a valid point. However, as a franchise, the Dolphins must plan for the future and make decisions that will benefit the team in the long run. They have already invested a lot in Tagovailoa, and they need to protect that investment. It’s better to be prepared for a potential absence than to be caught off guard and scrambling for a replacement.
Another factor to consider is the physical demands of the NFL. The game has become faster and more physical, and quarterbacks are often targeted by opposing defenses. Tagovailoa’s playing style, which involves a lot of mobility and improvisation, puts him at a higher risk of getting hit and injured. As much as we want to see him on the field, the Dolphins need to be realistic and accept that he may miss some games due to injury.
Now, let’s weigh the pros and cons of the Dolphins banking on being without Tagovailoa for a stretch in 2025. On the positive side, having a backup plan in place can give the team peace of mind and allow them to focus on other areas of improvement. It also gives the backup quarterback valuable experience and game time, which can be beneficial in the long run. However, on the flip side, if Tagovailoa stays healthy and the backup quarterback doesn’t get any playing time, it could be seen as a wasted opportunity.
Ultimately, the decision for the Dolphins will come down to balancing risk and reward. They could choose to invest in a solid backup quarterback to ensure they have a capable replacement if Tagovailoa goes down with an injury. This would give them a sense of security, knowing that they have a competent quarterback leading the team. On the other hand, they could also opt to put all their trust in Tagovailoa and hope for the best. This would save them money and allow them to focus on other areas of the team.
In my opinion, the Dolphins should not bank on being without Tagovailoa for a stretch in 2025. As a young quarterback, he still has a lot of potential to tap into, and the team should give him the opportunity to prove himself. However, they should also have a backup plan in place, whether it’s a solid backup quarterback or a plan to adjust their offensive strategy if Tagovailoa does get injured. This way, the team can have the best of both worlds – trusting in Tagovailoa while also being prepared for any potential setbacks.
In conclusion, the Miami Dolphins should not completely bank on being without Tua Tagovailoa
