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Dan Marino shared his thoughts on Tua Tagovailoa
Following a disappointing 7-10 season by the Miami Dolphins, the expectation is that Miami will have a new starting quarterback in 2026. This was not the expectation entering the season, as the Dolphins were hoping to relive some of the offensive success they had in 2022 and 2023 with Tagovailoa as the starting quarterback. In 2024, the offense took a step back, but the team continued to win when Tagovailoa was healthy. In 2025, the offense took another step back, and Tagovailoa, in particular, struggled.
He had his worst statistical season since his rookie year, which led the Dolphins to bench him after a Week 15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football. That game could have represented the last time Tagovailoa started a game for the Dolphins. If that is the case, at least he can be remembered as the best Dolphins quarterback since Dan Marino. Now, the Dolphins franchise legend Marino shared his feelings on Tagovailoa.
Dan Marino Shares Thoughts on Miami Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa
Dolphins legend Dan Marino, who serves as a special advisor to the team, went on Mad Dog Sports Radio with Adam Schein. He was asked about his feelings on the Dolphins quarterback room and Tua Tagovailoa. Regarding Tagovailoa, Marino said, “I think he was excellent. He really was. He is an excellent guy, a human being. I think he is still on the roster. You just don’t know right now. I think the new staff is coming, and they have to evaluate everything all at one time, and as time goes on this will all play itself out. But right now, Tua is with us, he’s one of our quarterbacks and that’s the way it’s going to be.”
Additionally, Marino did share that the Dolphins are likely to have a quarterback competition. He said, “You have to have competition at that position, and I think that is probably where the Dolphins have to go.” When asked about the possibility of free agent Malik Willis being a part of the competition, Marino responded, “I’m not in that position to say if it’s going to be free agency or the guys that we have or whatever that may be.”
Ultimately, Marino worked with Tagovailoa since the Dolphins quarterback entered the league, and would likely not badmouth him publicly. As a special advisor to the Dolphins, he cannot comment on Willis as he is still under contract with the Green Bay Packers, until free agency begins.
Miami Dolphins Quarterbacks
The Dolphins’ quarterback in 2026 is the biggest question remaining in the offseason. If the team does move on from Tagovailoa, it will represent the first time the team has had a different starting quarterback since 2020, when veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick was the team’s starter. On that occasion, Fitzpatrick and Tagovailoa had a competition for the job, but the team opted to go with the veteran over the rookie Tagovailoa.
The primary reason the Dolphins may find it difficult to move off Tagovailoa is that he carries a $56 million cap hit in 2026. After injuries and declining play, teams around the league likely will not want to take on that contract unless they receive some compensation. Malik Willis, who was mentioned in Marino’s interview, has been the popular free agent name linked with the Dolphins. The Packers general manager indicated that Willis was likely to depart Green Bay as he seeks the possibility of competing for a starting job. The Dolphins now have a general manager and a head coach who came over from Green Bay and are familiar with Willis. If the price is right, a reunion may be in store.
Jose Esquer Jose Esquer is a Mexican-American sportswriter and communications student based in San Diego, CA. His work spans football, basketball, baseball, and soccer. He has written for platforms like RotoWire and DolphinsTalk. You can find him on Twitter/X @JEsquer8, usually talking Dolphins, world football, or both. More about Jose Esquer
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