MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa spoke to reporters Wednesday after the first day of training camp concluded, offering insight into the team’s mindset, his evolving leadership, and a season defined by self-awareness, connection, and renewed focus.
After being asked what it felt like to be back on the field for Day 1, Tagovailoa reflected on the locker room culture and the bond with teammates that often goes unnoticed by outsiders.
“I think every year you want to think it feels different. You want to say it feels different. It’s like any other year,” he said. “You miss the guys, you miss the camaraderie, you miss the locker room talks. You just miss that community in a way. It really is a different world when you step into the locker room.”
While some players, like linebacker Bradley Chubb and fullback Alec Ingold, have mentioned a bunker mentality this season, Tagovailoa framed it more introspectively.
“I wouldn’t necessarily say that it is a bunker mindset ... Really, it’s us against ourselves, is kind of how we look at it,” he said. “What are we doing every single day to get each other better ... to get that guy on the other side of the ball, or that guy next to me better.”
The Dolphins recently traded for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, and for Tagovailoa — who overlapped with Fitzpatrick at Alabama — the reunion was personal.
“I have so many good things to say about Minkah ... The mentor in the way that he was for that locker room back in ’17,” Tagovailoa recalled. “There is the standard and there is someone you can look at ... and I think that’s what Minkah gives off.”
Tagovailoa also discussed the evolving dynamic with star wide receiver Tyreek Hill.
After Hill stated that he wanted to “get out” and leave Miami after finishing with an 8-9 record in 2024, Tagovailoa acknowledged the relationship needed rebuilding.
“I would say we’re still continuing to do that. You don’t just come back from that with a ‘hey, my bad.’ You’ve got to work that relationship up,” he said. “It’s still a work in progress. That’s the first step to me and so I commend him for doing that.”
Still, he praised Hill’s efforts to grow off the field.
“I think there is a lot more vulnerability with Tyreek ... Being vulnerable with some of the things people know about his personal life. I think he’s still trying to figure things out for himself as well.”
On the topic of staying healthy, Tagovailoa emphasized a shift in mindset, balancing competitiveness with long-term responsibility to the team.
“I’ve got to be more selfless instead of being selfish. Just slide (and) get off the field. Give yourself another opportunity. It’s a mindset thing for this offseason.”
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