Dolphins’ Struggles: Tua Tagovailoa Explains Jaylen Waddle’s Limited Role

In the midst of a disappointing 1-6 season, the Miami Dolphins are facing numerous questions about their performance. One particular concern that emerged after Sunday’s 31-6 loss to the Cleveland Browns was the limited involvement of wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. With star receiver Tyreek Hill out for the remainder of the season, many expected Waddle to step up as the team’s primary target. However, Waddle was targeted just four times and caught only one pass for 15 yards, leaving fans and analysts puzzled about his minimal role in the offense. When asked about this situation, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa offered an explanation that might be difficult for Dolphins supporters to accept. “I think with that, some of it has to do with being able to see guys, with their guys also up front and our guys,” Tagovailoa explained during Tuesday’s press conference. “I’m not the tallest guy in the back there either. So, being able to see, and then sometimes when that happens, you don’t want to just throw it blindly, and you gotta progress.” In essence, Tagovailoa, who stands at 6-foot-1, admitted that his height sometimes makes it challenging to spot his receivers, including the 5-foot-10 Waddle, particularly when defensive linemen are in his line of sight.

This candid admission raises concerns about a fundamental aspect of quarterback play – the ability to consistently see receivers downfield. While Tagovailoa’s honesty is refreshing, it highlights potential limitations in his game that might be contributing to the team’s struggles this season. The game against Cleveland represented Waddle’s least productive outing since Week 14 of last season against the Houston Texans, where he had no catches on two targets while dealing with a knee injury. The Browns’ defense thoroughly dominated Miami’s offense, intercepting Tagovailoa three times and holding him to just 12 completions for a meager 100 passing yards. This performance continues a troubling trend for Tagovailoa, who now leads the NFL with 10 interceptions compared to 11 touchdown passes this season.

Despite these challenges, head coach Mike McDaniel continues to express confidence in his quarterback. McDaniel revealed that he and Tagovailoa had an extensive hour-and-a-half meeting on Monday, which he described as “great.” “I think there’s zero uncertainty with Tua on my conviction in him and my belief in him,” McDaniel stated. “We’re both very eager to do better at our jobs, and we’re both very committed and trusting of each other to respond to what is necessary for the team to do better.” This mutual commitment to improvement will be essential as the Dolphins attempt to salvage something positive from what has thus far been a disappointing season.

The current struggles represent a stark contrast to previous expectations for this Miami team. Last season, McDaniel had engineered an explosive offense with Tagovailoa efficiently distributing the ball to his playmakers. This year, the offense has appeared disjointed and ineffective. Tagovailoa’s statistics tell part of the story – while he has thrown for 1,313 yards with a respectable 67.8% completion rate, his turnover issues have been devastating for a team that needs its quarterback to protect the football. The admission about visibility challenges adds another layer of concern for a franchise that has invested heavily in Tagovailoa as their franchise quarterback.

Finding ways to maximize Waddle’s involvement will be crucial for Miami moving forward, especially with Hill sidelined. As one of the team’s most dynamic playmakers, Waddle’s reduced role significantly limits the offense’s potential. McDaniel and his coaching staff will need to develop schematic solutions that account for Tagovailoa’s visibility challenges while still getting the ball to their remaining playmakers. This might include more designed quick passes, moving the pocket, or utilizing formations that create clearer throwing lanes for their quarterback. These adjustments will be essential if the Dolphins hope to turn around what has thus far been a deeply disappointing campaign.

At 1-6, the Dolphins find themselves in a difficult position where immediate improvement is necessary. The relationship between McDaniel and Tagovailoa appears strong, which provides a foundation for potential growth. However, the practical challenges on the field – including Tagovailoa’s ability to see and connect with receivers like Waddle – remain significant obstacles. Whether through scheme adjustments, improved offensive line play to give Tagovailoa clearer sight lines, or simply better decision-making from the quarterback himself, the Dolphins must find solutions quickly. For a team that entered the season with playoff aspirations, the current reality requires honest assessment and meaningful adjustments if they hope to salvage respectability in the remaining games of what has become a challenging season.