Another concussion. Is this the end of Tua Tagovailoa’s football career? That’s the question everyone’s asking, given his troubling history with head injuries. But remember, we asked the same question after his injury against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2022, and as we all know, he didn’t walk away. In this article, I will be sharing my thoughts on Tua’s injury and, most importantly, if I think he will retire.
A week ago, the Miami Dolphins took on the Buffalo Bills on Thursday Night Football. It was a close game until Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw three interceptions. To be fair, one of them wasn’t entirely his fault—it was tipped by Miami receiver Grant DuBose on one of them. Still, the stat sheet doesn’t care about that.
So, while having a bad passing game, Tua decides to run. Smart decision by him; however, Damar Hamlin was right there to tackle him. And then it happens. BAM. Tua gets his concussion, and that leaves us with the question: “Should Tua Tagovailoa retire?”
Should Tua Retire?
The answer really depends on Tua’s priorities. Does he want to secure his legacy as an NFL great, or does he value his long-term health more?
Though it is risky for him to continue playing, my advice for the Dolphins is to limit his passing, as I said earlier. It may be really effective, as I think it can definitely lower the chances of further injury. Now, if he gets one or two more concussions, then yes. If that were to happen, he should take it seriously and retire, as there have been football players who were never the same after an injury, primarily the head.
So, there’s my answer. Like I said, if it happens again, that’s a totally different story. But I wouldn’t worry about his fourth concussion, as if he hands the ball off to his two great running backs, DeVone Achane and Raheem Mostert, it would decrease the chances of a fifth.
It’s his fourth concussion since entering the league, and we’re only in Week 2 of the 2024 season. Here’s a look at his concussion history:
Week 3, 2022 – Buffalo Bills
Week 4, 2022 – Cincinnati Bengals
Week 16, 2022 – Green Bay Packers
Week 2, 2024 – Buffalo Bills
Only one of these concussions over the past two seasons has been in a week later than Week 4.
It’s simple: start Skylar Thompson in Week 1! (I’m just kidding. I respect Thompson’s skills on the field, but Miami needs to trade for a more experienced QB who has more experience.)
So, the solution? Start Tua every week but limit his passing attempts and focus more on running the ball. The Dolphins and their explosive running backs should get around 20 carries per game. Miami also has one of the best receiver duos in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. With a strong defense as well, I would make sure, if I’m Mike McDaniel, to run the ball more with their running backs this season, as well as the start of next season, to lessen the chance of a fifth concussion.
QBs Miami Should Sign as an Injury Replacement
Obviously, Skylar Thompson is their guy for now, but which other quarterbacks are left in free agency, or who could the Dolphins trade for?
Well, to answer that question, I did some digging and found four options who could be good replacements (not counting Skylar Thompson):
Ryan Tannehill
He played in Miami before, and while he didn’t have his best years there, he is an experienced veteran who has been a backup before. In 2019, Tannehill backed up former Oregon product Marcus Mariota before becoming the starter later that season.
Desmond Ridder
After a surprising trade to the Cardinals, Ridder was cut before the season even started. In Atlanta, as the Falcons' quarterback, Ridder threw for fourteen touchdowns (12 last season) and twelve interceptions. Not the greatest career there, but he was only their main guy for a season. I think he can be great as a backup for Miami, as he is still very young and has time to develop.
P.J. Walker
An experienced quarterback, Walker is used to being a backup. Playing that role with multiple franchises, I would expect him to mentor Tagovailoa well. He knows what it’s like to be a backup and an underdog, and I think that has some value. It would be a sneaky-good signing and one that would be underappreciated.
Trevor Siemian
Like Walker, Trevor Siemian knows what it’s like to be a backup. He has been good as a starter throughout his career, and I would trust him more than Skylar Thompson. Thompson just isn’t as experienced and hasn’t played well in Miami as their backup choice behind Tua.
Max Duggan
A younger quarterback, Duggan led TCU to a National Championship appearance in college football. Though they may have gotten destroyed by Georgia 65-7, Duggan played a big role in their unexpected fantastic season. After being drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers in the 7th round back in 2023, he didn’t see the field, as Herbert was, of course, their guy. Duggan has been a backup before, and I think he could be mentored by other guys, and Miami could ship him off somewhere else for some value in the future.
Those are five quarterbacks who would make good replacements for Tua. Though Skylar Thompson and Tyler “Snoop” Huntley are Miami’s backups, one of these quarterbacks could still make a good injury replacement for the former Alabama quarterback in Tagoviloa.