MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is entering his sixth NFL season with a sharper focus, a more vocal presence and a clear challenge to his teammates: enough is enough.
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“For me, I think what’s most important is I’ve been here for five years going on six,” Tagovailoa said during Dolphins minicamp Tuesday. “Are you not tired of what we’ve done these past five years? If you are, then why aren’t we doing anything about it? What do we have to change? What do we have to do to correct the navigation of where we want to go?”
With veteran left tackle Terron Armstead now retired, the Dolphins are retooling the offensive line around Tagovailoa.
Miami is counting on Patrick Paul, a 2024 second-round pick, to step into a critical role protecting Tagovailoa.
The team also added former Pittsburgh Steelers guard James Daniels in free agency and traded up in the 2025 draft to land Jonah Savaiinaea, a versatile guard/tackle out of Arizona.
But while the front office reshaped the line, it’s the tone from the Dolphins’ QB1 that’s signaling a deeper change.
“I think there is a culture shift. I feel it just as much as everyone that’s been here since I’ve gotten into the league,” Tagovailoa said. “We always hear about, ‘Man, culture shift. You guys have a change of this. You guys are doing this, always optimistic.’ But I really do feel in my heart that this is a change of scenery for our guys in the locker room.”
Tagovailoa also opened up about the hip injury that limited him this offseason.
“I would say it started to feel a little better more so like in February,” he said, though he declined to specify the exact diagnosis. “We know exactly what it was, but I don’t want to disclose any of that information.”
When asked if he was worried it could resurface, Tagovailoa added, “I think that if I can protect myself better, yeah, but outside of that, I don’t think so.”
That emphasis on protection has become a focal point for Tagovailoa’s personal development.
“I’ve got to sort of shift my mindset of this isn’t just practice where guys can’t hit me,” he said. “I’ve got to take it into a sense where if this guy is here, get the ball out … not to just hold on to it knowing they can hit me if it was real football. Just throw it away.”
His mindset appears contagious. Dolphins fullback Alec Ingold recently said the team’s chemistry and work ethic had dramatically improved — and Tagovailoa agreed.
“You create that standard in the locker room, the guys follow and you’ve got to uphold it,” he said. “So you come into work knowing that they are looking to you to uphold that standard.”
As for the offense, Tagovailoa said the goal this offseason is to spread the ball around more — and build chemistry with players not named Tyreek Hill.
“We’re continuing to grow our chemistry,” he said of his connection with wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. “For the past two years, it’s really been me and ‘Reek’ (Tyreek Hill) kind of getting on that same page. But if me and Waddle can continue to make stride, I think it’s going to lead into some pretty good things.”
Tagovailoa also praised tight end Jonnu Smith, who is seeking a new contract.
“Oh 100%, that’s my guy. That’s my dog,” he said. “Jonnu has done really good for us. I have nothing bad to say about him. I love him as a person, too, outside of the football.”
Despite offseason absences for Smith and an injured Hill, Tagovailoa said he’s been intentional about getting reps in any way possible.
“The thing with ‘Reek,’ he can’t catch but he can sure run his routes … I’ve got to throw with Jonnu a couple of times outside the facility.”
Tagovailoa, who once battled his own contract distractions, said players have to stay focused while letting agents and teams negotiate.
“You don’t really know if they’re telling you the truth,” he said of agents. “All you can do is work… If (the offer) sounds right to you when it comes back, then it sounds right. If not, you continue to work through that.”
With training camp looming, Tagovailoa plans to keep it simple: a short vacation in the Bahamas, then back to work.
“Just workout. Get some throwing in with guys and get ready for training camp,” he said.
And perhaps most importantly, he’s carrying that leadership torch into the new season with a team that appears to be rallying around him.
