Tua Tagovailoa addressed his biggest weaknesses in Dolphins return

Tua Tagovailoa has been keeping plays alive and keeping the offense moving for the Dolphins.

I know, I know. I just talked about the Miami Dolphins saving their season last week, but this week I’m going to talk about another Miami Dolphin who is taking on more responsibility this season: QB Tua Tagovailoa. One of my biggest criticism of the Dolphins’ signal caller was in his play outside of structure. He tends to fall apart when the read is a little cloudy or when he’s forced to hold onto the ball, and it limits the capabilities of the Dolphins’ offense.

However, since returning from injury, Tagovailoa has flipped the script. In his four games since coming back, he’s been really good outside of structure, keeping plays alive and helping to keep the offense moving. Since his return in week eight, Tagovailoa has been 13-for-15 when outside the pocket, 17-of-22 when pressured and has bailed the Dolphins out of some precarious positions.

Anytime your face is on the top right of a graphic, that means something good is going on.

Against the Raiders, he was once again cooking, guiding the Dolphins to another victory. Let’s break down what he’s done outside of structure that keeps this offense flowing.

I think the biggest thing for Tua since coming back has been his comfort. Despite missing time due to a concussion, Tagovailoa has come back being less gun-shy and more willing to take matters into his own hands. This is the third year in the offensive system head coach Mike McDaniel brought to Miami, and it’s clear he has the ultimate faith in the system and where he can ad-lib. On this play, the Dolphins are trying to work a deep out to WR Tyreek Hill, with a curl on the backside to WR Jaylen Waddle. The Raiders actually have this fairly covered, forcing Tua to go away from his original read. Tagovailoa doesn’t panic in the pocket, escapes and is able to find Waddle to move the chains.

Tagovailoa has leaned a bit more into the chaos since returning from injury, and it’s helped to keep the offense on track, on top of the usual stuff he does within structure. His touchdown to Hill on Sunday was an example of this chaotic play working out. Tagovailoa wants to work this dig to Hill on his first read, but the Raiders have it pretty well covered. Pressure comes in off a well-executed stunt and Tagovailoa is forced to scramble. Tua earlier this season might end up taking a sack here or throwing the ball away, but since returning from injury he’s decided to lean into the variability more often. Tagovailoa escapes to his left, and is able to find Hill, who kept running through the zone for a touchdown.

Miami has a real shot to backdoor their way into the playoffs, but it’ll have to be done with this version of Tagovailoa. The combination of comfort in his third year of the offense, with maybe using that time away to evaluate where he could improve, has really helped elevate Tua’s game to be more willing to work out of structure. Like I said, it’s a small thing, but it helps to keep this offense on the field and generate more explosives when things go wrong (see: difference between Jimmy Garoppolo and Brock Purdy in the Niners’ offense). I think it’ll also do wonders for Tagovailoa’s public perception.

Many (including myself) have seen him as more of a point guard, someone who has to have everything schemed up to a perfect point just to keep the offense afloat. Being able to do this at a consistent level will help change those ideas, especially if Miami can get into the playoffs again.