“The verdict is out!” – Cam Newton levels harsh truths about Tua Tagovailoa’s arm strength in cold weather

Tua Tagovailoa's cold-weather struggles against the Packers led Cam Newton to criticize his deep passing ability.

“The verdict is out!” – Cam Newton levels harsh truths about Tua Tagovailoa’s arm strength in cold weather

Tua Tagovailoa and Mike McDaniel; In circle: Cam Newton (Image via IMAGO/X)

Cam Newton piled the pressure on Tua Tagovailoa after the Miami Dolphins suffered a 17-30 defeat against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday at Lambeau Field. The loss meant that Tagovailoa remained winless in below-freezing temperatures since entering the NFL in eight attempts.

During Monday’s edition of First Take, Newton pointed out the gaping issue in the 26-year-old’s performance against the 9-3 Packers. The former Super Bowl MVP argued that Tagovailoa rarely threw a deep pass the entire night and posed the question about his arm strength disappearing under cold weather.

The verdict is out when scouting the Miami Dolphins because Tua doesn’t have the arm strength in cold weather. Show me a deep non-ball or deep post or an out-breaking route. What am I saying? I’m saying Tua’s arm strength is exposed in cold weather.

Cam Newton fired shots at Tua Tagovailoa

Newton shared a little titbit from his short spell in New England. He signed with the Patriots as the replacement for Tom Brady. Boston also boasts similar extreme weather conditions to Wisconsin, so he has experience playing under harsh conditions.

In New England… we had to go outside to practice on a day-to-day basis… That ball was flurrying out there rather than getting down in a straight line. What I’m saying is the verdict is out when scouting the Miami Dolphins because Tua doesn’t have the arm strength in cold weather.

Cam Newton added

Tua Tagovailoa failed to change the narrative

Before facing the Packers, the Alabama graduate was dead set on breaking his jinx of playing in cold weather. He completed 36 passes, 356 yards, and 2 touchdown passes weren’t enough to save the sinking Dolphins.

“The verdict is out!” - Cam Newton levels harsh truths about Tua Tagovailoa's arm strength in cold weather
Tua Tagovailoa (Image via IMAGO)

The Dolphins averaged just 6.6 yards per pass, which checks out with Newton’s theory of not throwing the ball deep to utilize the speed of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Tagovailoa’s most frequent target was tight end Jonnu Smith, who caught 10 passes for 113 yards.

The defeat ended the Dolphins’ three-game winning streak and left them on a 5-7 record, further depleting their chances of playing post-season football three years in a row. However, Tua isn’t ready to give up on hope just yet.

I wouldn’t say the dream’s dead for our team just yet. Anything can happen in this league.

Tua Tagovailoa said after the game

He vowed to come back stronger to play the next game against divisional rivals, the New York Jets.

We’re going to watch the film [and] we’re going to look over things that we need to get better at.

Tua Tagovailoa added

Tua missed three games due to a concussion and has been limited to just eight starts. In those games, he threw 207 completions for 2125 yards, 15 passing touchdowns, and 4 interceptions.

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