The Miami Dolphins are anticipated to have quarterback Tua Tagovailoa stay the crew’s starter going ahead into the 2023 season.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel confirmed as a lot following the Dolphins’ 34-31 season-ending loss in an AFC wild-card playoff sport on the Buffalo Bills after the crew’s dedication to Tagovailoa was first reported by ESPN on Sunday morning.
“Of course. You guys know how I feel about Tua. That hasn’t changed at all,” McDaniel mentioned of Tagovailoa Sunday night time at Highmark Stadium. “I think we all see him as a leader on this team. When it’s appropriate for him to lead the team, we’ll jump on that opportunity.”
The improvement clears up two issues: That medical professionals imagine Tagovailoa, who was identified with two concussions this season, can proceed his taking part in profession regardless of the pinnacle trauma and that the Dolphins is not going to pursue one other starting-caliber quarterback this offseason to both exchange Tagovailoa or compete with him.
Tagovailoa missed the Dolphins’ first postseason sport in six seasons as he was nonetheless within the concussion protocol after additionally being stored out of the ultimate two video games of the common season. He missed 5 video games complete, together with the playoffs, resulting from concussions this season and is but to finish a whole season wholesome in three NFL campaigns since being chosen with the No. 5 decide within the 2020 draft.
“Yes, this is a challenging time for him. Yes, his health is of primary importance,” McDaniel mentioned, “but I’d be a fool to not embrace him when he’s healthy and ready to go. We’ll all be excited for that.”
Tagovailoa, in 13 video games this season, led the NFL in passer score at 105.5. He additionally was the league chief in yards per try at 8.9. He went 8-5 with a 64.8 completion proportion, 3,548 yards, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
“He’s a great player with only improvement in front of him,” McDaniel mentioned. “We’re talking about a 24-year-old quarterback that — I think when I signed up for this job — I spent six months trying to convince people he was good.”
Tagovailoa enters the ultimate yr of his rookie contract. In 2023, Tagovailoa will earn a base wage of $1,010,000 and a roster bonus of $3,728,469, whereas carrying a cap hit of $9,633,094. The Dolphins can have an essential offseason resolution on whether or not to signal the fifth-year choice on his contract.
Dolphins common supervisor Chris Grier is predicted to handle the place he stands on Tagovailoa in his end-of-season press convention Monday.
Gesicki mulls offseason
Dolphins tight finish Mike Gesicki can have a pivotal offseason for his future after taking part in the 2022 season on the franchise tag for Miami.
“We’ll see,” Gesicki mentioned. “I’m not likely positive at this level. I like it in Miami, man. I’ve been there for 5 years, and I’ve made a ton of recollections.
“Got here when I was 22 years old. Now, I’m sitting here at 27, and I’ve played a lot of football. … It’s a long offseason. There’s a lot of things that factor.”
What’s most essential to Gesicki in making that call?
“Just opportunity,” he mentioned. “Scheme, quarterback play, location — there’s a ton of stuff. We’ll see when we get there, but ultimately, I think I can fit in any scheme and play in any scheme. That’s not really my biggest concern.”
In Sunday’s loss, Gesicki had a 7-yard landing that tied the sport within the first half. He completed the 2022 common season with 32 receptions and 372 yards — each profession lows since his rookie yr — however he did have 5 regular-season touchdowns earlier than Sunday’s postseason rating. It was Gesicki’s first season underneath McDaniel and the brand new coach’s offensive system.
Armstead performs by accidents
Dolphins left sort out Terron Armstead performed by his 4 accidents — toe, pectoral, knee and him — within the playoff sport in opposition to the Bills.
Armstead, who earned his fourth Pro Bowl choice this season, entered Sunday questionable as he handled the lengthy listing of illnesses.
“This is what I do. It’s what I signed up for,” Armstead mentioned. “I try to go out and play this game. I am hurt, honestly speaking, pretty bad right now. But if we were to play next week I would put some duct tape on it, some Band-Aids, and try to do it again.”
Armstead went into the locker room late within the first half with the crew asserting his hip was the problem, however the sort out returned for the second half.
While Armstead’s availability was a welcome sight, Miami went into the wild-card matchup with different offensive line considerations. Tackles Brandon Shell (knee/ankle) and Kendall Lamm (ankle) had been introduced as inactive 90 minutes earlier than kickoff. That after beginning left guard Liam Eichenberg was downgraded from uncertain to out Saturday as he didn’t journey with the crew. Shell had been the Dolphins’ beginning proper ankle with Austin Jackson on injured reserve.
The Dolphins began proper guard Robert Hunt at proper sort out with Robert Jones taking Hunt’s standard guard spot. In Eichenberg’s left guard spot, the place Jones would again him up, was Lester Cotton, who was elevated from the Miami observe squad Saturday.
Outside linebacker Bradley Chubb, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, fullback Alec Ingold and large receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. — who had been all questionable — had been lively. Bridgewater didn’t play as rookie Skylar Thompson made it by the sport wholesome. Chubb had a sack and a pressured fumble as his snap depend was monitored. Wilson had a key 50-yard punt return that arrange a first-half subject purpose.
Other Dolphins inactives included Tagovailoa and working again Raheem Mostert, who had been each deemed out earlier this previous week. Healthy scratches had been cornerback Noah Igbinoghene and tight finish Tanner Conner.
Both Bills gamers that entered questionable — large receiver Isaiah McKenzie and defensive sort out Jordan Phillips — had been amongst their inactives. Each has South Florida ties with Phillips a former Dolphin and McKenzie a highschool product of American Heritage in Plantation.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com