CHICAGO — Preseason football is all about opportunities for players fighting for a spot on the 53-man roster, but one thing’s clear: Tua Tagovailoa is still a very good player and will lead the Dolphins under center in Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts.
In the team’s preseason opener Saturday afternoon against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, Tagovailoa, along with the first-team offense, took the field for the opening offensive series.
Although the drive did not result in points, Tagovailoa, in 15 plays, completed five of his six passes for 27 yards.
Tagovailoa was not sacked and he averaged 4.5 yards per throw.
Wide receiver Malik Washington, likely to have an increased role in Mike McDaniel’s offense this season, and Tahj Washington, who missed all of 2024 because of an injury, were Tagovailoa’s favorite targets early.
Similar to last season, however, the Dolphins couldn’t convert in short-yardage situations.
On 1st-and-goal from the Chicago 8-yard line, Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright, entering his second season out of the University of Tennessee, took the snap from Tagovailoa and plowed his way to the 2-yard line.
Wright was stuffed on 2nd-and-goal from the 2-yard-line, third-and-goal from the 1-yard line, and fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line.
When the offense took the field for their second series, Tagovailoa was replaced under center by fifth-year quarterback Zach Wilson, whom the Dolphins acquired during free agency this offseason.
Copyright 2025 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.
