Tua Tagovailoa stays Dolphins’ beginning QB

Despite a fourth quarter benching in the wake of a dreadful 31-6 loss in Cleveland on Sunday, Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel is sticking with Tua Tagovailoa as the team’s starting quarterback for this Sunday’s game at the Atlanta Falcons.

“He is going to take the snaps this week, and he is going to be a starter this week, and my expectation is that we don’t throw 10 picks,” McDaniel said during media availability on Monday.

Tagovailoa produced a career-worst 24.1 passer rating on Sunday, completing 12 of 23 attempts for 100 yards. For the second consecutive game, he tossed three interceptions and is tied for the league lead with 10, along with Geno Smith of the Las Vegas Raiders.

The six-year veteran, who led the league with 4,624 passing yards in 2023, was benched midway through the fourth quarter and replaced by rookie Quinn Ewers.

The quarterback and head coach reviewed the film together on Monday morning.

“In this case, I thought it was important for us to watch the offense together,” McDaniel said. “So, we watched the pass game together this morning and had direct communication about the ebbs and flows of the game and how we can both improve for each other.

“Because to me, when you go through a performance like that, I don’t see it as all on a player or all on a coach. It’s a working relationship and we both have to get better together because that’s not good enough.”

Tagovailoa has thrown for 1,313 yards and 11 touchdowns this season.

Miami (1-6) has dropped three consecutive games for the second time this season.

–Field Level Media