‘The best football is still ahead of me.’
In six seasons, Tagovailoa compiled a 44-32 record as a starting quarterback. During the 2022 season, he led all NFL quarterbacks in many different categories, including the percentage of passes that went for touchdowns (6.3%), yards per completion (13.7) and passer rating (105.5). In 2023, Tagovailoa led the league with 4,624 passing yards while helping the Dolphins attain an 11-6 record and reach the playoffs.
Tagovailoa went 6-8 as a starter in 2025 and threw for 2,660 yards with 20 touchdowns and a career-high 15 interceptions. In discussing what lay ahead of him in Atlanta, he made it clear that he expects more from himself.
“If you’re looking at last year, my play wasn’t up to the standard of the way I’ve been playing football the past, what, three years since the new contract,” Tagovailoa said. “So, just got to play better football. That’s what that really means. There’s no other way to sugarcoat that or go around that.”
Entering a new situation, Tagovailoa made it clear he still has a strong love for the game and the drive to play it at a high level. He explained that he’s reached out to a couple of veteran quarterbacks to help him grow and learn from his past season. To help him keep perspective, he said he thinks of what his younger self would say to him in this position and that he doesn’t take for granted the opportunity to continue living out his dream.
That is motivation enough as a new chapter begins.
“I’m looking for a fresh start, but a fresh start in the sense of being able to compete, being able to go back out there and playing football, good football,” Tagovailoa said. “And I think the best football is still ahead of me.”