Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel dismissed growing retirement talks concerning star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa following a serious head injury during Thursday night’s game against the Buffalo Bills. The 2024 NFL season opener took a grim turn when Tagovailoa exited the game in the third quarter after a devastating collision with Buffalo safety Damar Hamlin.
NFL insiders and commentators swiftly raised concerns about Tagovailoa’s future, calling for the quarterback to consider stepping away from the game for good. However, McDaniel pushed back against the notion during his Friday morning press conference.
“I think it would be so wrong of me to even sniff that subject, and it’s more in line of actually caring about the human being and that’s something that entirely you’re talking about his career, right?” McDaniel expressed.
“His career is his, and that’s something that I really, really, really wish – I totally understand it, and it’s not misplaced.”
Tagovailoa’s Health Comes First
McDaniel made it clear that while fans and pundits may be focused on Tagovailoa’s long-term future, his primary concern remains the quarterback’s well-being. The head coach took a strong stance against speculating on Tagovailoa’s career while he’s still recovering.
“I totally get how that’s where people want to go to. I just wish that people would for a second hear what I’m saying that bringing up his future is not in the best interest of him, so I’m going to plead with everybody that does genuinely care, that that should be the last thing on your mind, because – what do you think if I were to answer that question? I’d be like, ‘All right, this is my thoughts on his career’ and he read it. If he agreed with it or he disagreed with it, either way I’ve just made him worse.”
McDaniel added, “So, I’m not taking this opportunity. I don’t think it’s appropriate simply because of my care and regard, and I don’t think those types of conversations when you’re talking about somebody’s career – it probably is only fair that their career should be decided by them.”
A Troubling History of Head Injuries
The concussion on Thursday isn’t the first time Tagovailoa’s career has been overshadowed by head trauma. The Miami quarterback faced a similar situation in 2022 when he appeared to suffer a concussion in a game against the Buffalo Bills. The injury was initially reported as a back issue, but many questioned whether the severity of his head injury had been understated. Days later, during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Tagovailoa was thrown to the ground, resulting in a chilling scene where his hands became stiff and curled — a reaction commonly associated with traumatic brain injuries.
He went on to sustain another concussion during the season, this time against the Green Bay Packers, ultimately sidelining him for the remainder of the season.
Looking Ahead
For now, McDaniel insists that the focus should remain on Tua Tagovailoa’s recovery rather than speculating on his future in the NFL. As the Dolphins navigate another challenging chapter with their franchise quarterback, only time will tell how these injuries will shape the next phase of Tagovailoa’s career.
