Dolphins can't keep handing Tua Tagovailoa the QB Job after Steelers loss

If you were to just look at the stat sheet on Monday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers, you’d think Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa wasn’t the problem. But that’s what happens when you’re down two scores in the fourth quarter and allowed to pad the numbers.

Tagovailoa finished the night completing 22 of 28 pass attempts for 253 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, posting a passer rating of 113.4. Despite the inflated numbers, the Dolphins still lost 28-15 and were eliminated from playoff contention. Miami will now miss the postseason for the second straight year.

And with that, Miami Herald columnist Barry Jackson believes it should be the last time the Dolphins simply hand Tagovailoa the starting job.

"After another stinker for three quarters in prime time, after another disappointment in less-than-pristine weather, there really is no justification for the Dolphins to play another game, let alone another season, with Tua Tagovailoa as the uncontested starter," Jackson wrote.

Jackson even went as far as suggesting the Dolphins at least give backup Quinn Ewers a look.

"No, let’s be clear: If the Dolphins have no better options in 2026 while they pay off the final guaranteed year of Tagovailoa’s contract, then play him. If Quinn Ewers gets a chance in December and flops, then go back to Tagovailoa.

"But never again should Tagovailoa simply be gifted a starting job. What, exactly, is there left for the Dolphins to learn about Tagovailoa?"

Tua Tagovailoa Can’t Win Big Games for Dolphins

As Jackson pointed out, numbers matter — but the most relevant ones continue to work against Tagovailoa.

In cold-weather games, long considered Miami’s kryptonite, the Dolphins have now lost 14 straight when kickoff temperatures are below 40 degrees, including Monday night in Pittsburgh. Tagovailoa has been part of six of those losses.

In prime-time games, he’s 2-8 over his last 10 appearances. Against teams with winning records, he’s 3-12 over his last 15.

Tua Tagovailoa’s Contract

During last offseason, Tagovailoa signed a four-year, $212.4 million extension following a Pro Bowl season. He has done little since to justify it.

His production dipped significantly last season, though injuries played a role, as he missed six games with multiple issues. He's healthier this season but the only teams he and the Dolphins can beat are those who have less wins than they do.

Still, the contract is now the hinge point for Miami’s future decisions.

Tagovailoa is scheduled to earn $56.4 million next season. Financially, only a post–June 1 trade would offer meaningful relief — and that scenario appears unlikely. Even a post–June 1 release would leave Miami with $99.2 million in dead cap over the next two years, according to Spotrac.

"The biggest mystery is how McDaniel could have seen all of Tagovailoa’s limitations and still advocated for the Dolphins to give him the four-year, $212 million extension ($167 million guaranteed) that has left the franchise shackled," Jackson wrote.

"Who, exactly, was looking out for the franchise when a handful of people running it thought it was a good idea to extend a quarterback who was injury-prone, athletically limited, and had failed multiple times against stout defenses?"