Dolphins’ McDaniel updates Tagovailoa status amid contract talks and other news
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Wednesday that Tua Tagovailoa’s plan for training camp is “very fluid” amid ongoing contract talks and suggested his quarterback wasn’t planning to participate in 11 on 11 drills on the first day of camp.
“Today, I’m expecting it to be kind of like OTAs, and we’ll take it from there,” McDaniel said. “Tua is in the midst of contract negotiations.”
Tagovailoa sat out 11 on 11 drills in the spring.
As it turned out, Tagovailoa took two snaps in 11 on 11 drills on Wednesday, but both were handoffs. He made a few nice passes in 7 on 7 work (including a sideline completion to Erik Ezukanma) but also had a pass intercepted by Zeke Vandenburgh after tight end Tanner Conner bobbled it.
Tagovailoa is seeking a lucrative extension, similar to the one that several top quarterbacks have received over the past two years. He’s due to make $23.1 million on a fifth-year option this season; that could be replaced by a multiyear contract if the sides reach a deal.
“Both sides are relentlessly working on it,” McDaniel said of the negotiations. “Those things take time.”
Asked what he would say to Tagovailoa if he asks McDaniel to get paid and whether it means the organization is ‘hedging’ on his future, McDaniel said he doubts Tagovailoa would ask him that.
“I’m not involved in those things,” McDaniel said. “I know where my place is in my relationship with him. My job is to focus on him getting better solely. I’m comfortable in my relationship with Tua. He can separate the business relationship. He knows our focus has to be on what it looks like when he’s playing football.”
Would McDaniel ever ask general manager Chris Grier to get the deal done?
“Everyone realizes the importance to everyone; I don’t need to remind anyone of that,” McDaniel said. “Everyone is trying their best to get a deal done.”
More news from McDaniel’s opening news conference:
▪ McDaniel declined to offer a timeline on the potential returns for Jaelan Phillips (torn Achilles’ tendon on Nov. 24) and Bradley Chubb (torn ACL on Dec. 31).
Both begin camp on the active/physically unable to perform list. They can participate in meetings but cannot practice while on the list.
“I’m a stickler for the no timelines, not just to annoy you guys,” McDaniel said, adding he wants them to “listen to their bodies so we can actively prevent re-occuring injuries… We know they want to be on the field as fast as possible.”
Phillips said in April that he expects to be back this season.
▪ On Odell Beckham Jr. also beginning camp on PUP: “He’s working his way back. It’s so important for him coming to this team and offense that he’s able to focus on the timing and execution of how he plays the position.
“If he’s compromised in any regard to do that, then the challenge becomes cerebral. When he’s going to practice, I don’t know. The longer that is, that means how much more you have to be on it, the shorter that time gets.”
▪ David Long Jr. also begins camp on PUP. McDaniel said that’s a “stacked position” and he has no idea how the depth chart will play out.
▪ On edge player Shaquil Barrett’s retirement last week: “I wasn’t forecasting it, but you talk to him and understand and are completely in support.”
▪ New Dolphins and former Bills safety Jordan Poyer said Tuesday that “playing against this team over the past few years, you get a sense of, ‘OK, if you get on top of this team, they might fold.’ ’ McDaniel offered this response when asked about those comments:
“It’s really not a big deal [that he said that]... It doesn’t surprise me. We are in a business that’s very cut and dried… You’re either finding success or reasons for failure….
“Jordan Poyer is here because of the player he is and the leader he is. He recognizes the leadership opportunity he has here. The past doesn’t predict the future. For Jordan Poyer to talk to his teammates, and say the same thing he says in the media, it’s important to understand that when you don’t win football games down the stretch, those things, I don’t know what it will look like, but it will be said.”
▪ He said Tyreek Hill hasn’t conveyed to him what Hill expressed at his media availability on Tuesday - that Hill isn’t going to publicly express a goal for 2000 receiving yards in a season again because Hill views that as selfish.
“If he were to express that to me, I would be like, ‘Dude, you’re just a competitor.’ We win a lot of games when we reach whatever numbers. As he evolves as a man, it’s cool to hear that’s his viewpoint.”
▪ On how Terron Armstead will be handled in training camp: “To make sure he’s involved to the point he feels outstanding. There will be days of full participation, days of partial, and days it makes sense for young guys to get ops. He’s in a great place, healthy as ever. He’s really spry.”
This story was originally published July 24, 2024 at 10:25 AM.
