Mike McDaniel’s Expectation From Tua Tagovailoa Goes Viral: “Not Throw Ten Picks”

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel had benched starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after he threw three interceptions in Week 7.

Mike McDaniel’s Expectation From Tua Tagovailoa Goes Viral: “Not Throw Ten Picks”

Mike McDaniel and Tua Tagovailoa (Image via Uncle Jack/X)

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Amidst all the struggles surrounding the Miami Dolphins, the apparent cold vibes between quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and head coach Mike McDaniel have been concerning for fans.

Earlier, it was just the Hawaiian quarterback and his words that became a cause for concern, using deflection to avoid fending criticism from analysts and fans.

Then the way he threw his teammates under the bus, only to realize he had done something seriously wrong, and ended up apologizing. Many felt his apology was a major move from him, as it gave a sense of accountability.

Accountability or not, his head coach was not happy when Tua Tagovailoa threw his third interception in their embarrassing loss to the Cleveland Browns, and subsequently benched him for rookie Quinn Ewers.

After the game, Mike McDaniel seemingly threw a thinly veiled barb at his starting quarterback, asking him to do better, or else face the possibility of losing his starting job. This time, the head coach had a more direct demand from Tagovailoa.

He’s going to take the snaps this week, and he’s going to start this week. My expectation is that we don’t throw ten picks.

Mike McDaniel said at the Dolphins’ press conference

On one hand, the 42-year-old head coach has reinstated Tua Tagovailoa to his starting QB job. On the other hand, he wants his signal caller to avoid throwing many interceptions.

Tua Tagovailoa’s interceptions have cost Dolphins a lot

The Miami Dolphins have played 7 games this season, and stand near the bottom of the league with a 1-6 record. Out of those 6 losses, Tua Tagovailoa’s interceptions have been directly responsible for 5 of them.

Tua Tagovailoa's performances have been poor
Tua Tagovailoa’s performances have been poor (Image via Imago)

In the other one, his inability to make something out of offensive possessions also contributed to that loss against the Panthers. Mike McDaniel also is to be blamed for their lapses.

But most of those losses were a result of the Alabama alum’s inability to focus and keep the ball safe. In their last game, Tagovailoa’s wild late-game interception was an example of how the QB is not doing his part to keep the ball safe.

That is why the blame has now shifted from his head coach to his shoulders. Even though he was deflective earlier, Tagovailoa cannot shed accountability anymore as he is joint bottom of the league in interceptions.

Dolphins not looking to dismiss Mike McDaniel

Before Tua Tagovailoa’s interceptions became a standard feature every week, his head coach Mike McDaniel was facing a lot of pressure. Some felt the Colorado native did not have it in him to lead a group of grown men.

As the losses mounted, the star QB faced a lot of pressure from fans and the media. But so did the head coach, who many felt cannot shed blame for the Dolphins’ struggles.

Their latest loss was an embarrassment on all fronts, and was not just a result of Tagovailoa’s turnovers. However, as per Adam Schefter, the franchise’s front office and ownership ‘is not planning any changes, anytime soon.’

The team has four games coming up before its Week 12 bye. Trying to win against those four could be a tall task, considering that, unlike the Dolphins, their opponents could be in peak form when they meet. How they play would determine Mike McDaniel‘s future.

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