With quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s pending fifth-year possibility on his contract one of many predominant storylines of the Miami Dolphins’ 2023 offseason, the workforce will take its time with the choice.
There is a May 1 deadline for NFL groups to determine on whether or not to select up fifth-year choices for his or her members of the 2020 draft class, placing Miami two months faraway from a call.
“We’re probably best served to utilize the time,” McDaniel stated Tuesday throughout his press convention on the NFL scouting mix. “This is something that [general manager Chris Grier] and I have been working through and will continue to work through.”
The Dolphins have already got Tagovailoa locked in for the 2023 season, his fourth, on his rookie contract. Should the group choose up the fifth yr, it might decide to Tagovailoa for the 2024 season, as effectively, at a $23.1 million determine. That quantity is lower than what the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Chargers are with fellow quarterbacks Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert based mostly on the opposite two qualifying for a Pro Bowl inside their first three seasons.
After Tagovailoa led the NFL in quarterback score (105.5) and yards per try (8.9) and put up profession highs with 25 passing touchdowns and three,548 yards, his play in Year 3 appears to warrant the fifth yr. The higher query is his well being after, once more, not finishing a full season — this time on account of a number of concussions sidelining him 5 1/2 video games.
“Like any other player, you factor in every variable,” McDaniel stated. “One factor that, if you’re speaking about these forms of selections, I believe it’s vital to acknowledge that we’ve a congruence of curiosity by the Dolphins and the participant, Tua, that we each events actually need him to play at a really excessive degree for a very long time for the Miami Dolphins.
“What’s the best way to really engineer that or to help manifest that? Well, those are the things that we’re kind of weighing in terms of the various options.”
McDaniel additionally clarified the martial artwork Tagovailoa is training this offseason to higher defend himself from blows to the top. He famous that Tagovailoa mistakenly talked about judo when he meant jiu-jitsu in an interview earlier this offseason.
McDaniel addressed a narrative that popped up over the previous weekend with cornerback Byron Jones tweeting he can’t run or bounce after lacking the 2022 season and firing off apparently accusatory remarks in regards to the remedy he obtained in rehabbing from decrease left leg surgical procedure in March 2022.
“I know it’s a tough situation from a competitor that loves to play the game of football. The one thing I’ll say is, throughout the process, Byron’s been able to be the conductor of the train. The Dolphins organization, the entire training staff and the medical department has supported him at every turn.”
In half, Jones tweeted: “DO NOT take the pills they give you. DO NOT take the injections they give you. If you absolutely must, consult an outside doctor to learn the long-term implications.”
Jones additionally adopted with one other tweet referring to his NFL profession previously tense, probably suggesting he’s executed taking part in soccer.
McDaniel stated Jones by no means expressed any concern in regards to the care he was receiving in rehab to him.
“He feels the way he feels, and as a leader of professional athletes, I empathize with how everyone truly feels,” McDaniel stated. “All I can do is support.”
McDaniel touched on the kind of impression new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio could make.
“Vic is one of one, in my opinion, of creating and innovating and sustaining high-quality defense,” he stated. “I think all players on defense will benefit from it. I know myself included, I’ll benefit from the process of being able to work with him on a daily basis and tap into his infinite wisdom.”
Elsewhere on the teaching workers, whereas solidifying publicly for the primary time this offseason that Danny Crossman is being retained as particular groups coordinator, McDaniel made his first remarks in regards to the change from Matt Applebaum to Butch Barry as offensive line coach this offseason.
He stated, underneath the earlier construction, offensive coordinator Frank Smith needed to draw back from the duties of his place to deal with the road, main McDaniel to then should deal with some coordinator duties. He hopes the change stops the trickle-down impact.
Following one season of the wedding between tight finish Mike Gesicki and McDaniel’s offense, Gesicki is now a free agent upon completion of his franchise-tag season in 2022. McDaniel is just not saying it’s over between Gesicki and the Dolphins simply but.
“There is always a spot for good players,” he stated. “I think that Mike has earned the opportunity to test the market, and I very much encourage that. … For him to have that opportunity to go earn, we very much encourage that. However, we are not in the business of saying no to good players. I wouldn’t close that door at all.”
McDaniel has all his working backs getting into free company this offseason. It may present a model new look within the backfield or an opportunity to carry again gamers which have familiarity with McDaniel, like Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson.
“First and foremost, from the running back position on our team, you need a team player that’s willing to do whatever it takes to win,” McDaniel stated. “We have good players surrounding the running back position. So you gotta be willing to pass-block and do things off the ball. I think there’s many different types of running backs that can excel in this offense, given whatever their skill sets are. So, to me, I just want team-oriented guys that enjoy getting the ball, fighting for yardage and trying to win football games.”
Along with breaking down variables in selections surrounding Tagovailoa because the workforce’s starter, McDaniel touched on Skylar Thompson’s probabilities at incomes a backup quarterback position after holding down the third-string job final season behind Tagovailoa and veteran backup Teddy Bridgewater.
“When you assess Skylar’s as a rookie, he did a lot of things to deserve to be in competition and to have an open mind to him winning the backup quarterback role,” McDaniel stated. “I was happy with what Skylar was able to do under the pretense that he’s going to continue to get better.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com