MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The only leverage Tua Tagovailoa has in his stalled contract extension talks is to show the Miami Dolphins what they’d miss if he’s gone.
Consider Day 1 of Dolphins mandatory minicamp a success. Tagovailoa was as sharp as ever in the strategically-limited snaps he took Tuesday.
Miami Dolphins Practice Report: June 4
Tagovailoa wants a long-term extension, and his agent has been working with the Dolphins off and on over the last four months to make that happen.
But with the two sides still apart on terms, Tagovailoa has been selectively withholding his services this spring.
Here’s the thing though: If he held out minicamp altogether, he would be subject to a fine.
Instead, Tagovailoa has elected not to participate in team drills during OTA and minicamp practices.
He has done 7-on-7 work, however, and in those limited reps, he was absolutely dialed in.
The first period of 7-on-7 was red zone, and Tagovailoa completed all but one of his 12 passes with four touchdowns. His only incompletion? A drop by Mathew Sexton.
Later in practice, Tagovailoa continued to roast Miami’s secondary, finding De’Von Achane and Hayden Rucci on big gainers.
When backups Mike White and Skylar Thompson got their chance in team drills, the offense wasn’t nearly as efficient — which surely was a reminder to head coach Mike McDaniel just how valuable his QB1 was (not that he needed it).
“We’re going to move forward in sort of a similar fashion that we had before, where we’re going to have him out there, and he’s going to be participating, but the depth and really across the board, what he’s doing, that will be more up to him than anything,” McDaniel said before practice. “The only way I can do this job appropriately to everyone is worry about coaching people.”
Tagovailoa was on fire despite not having receivers Tyreek Hill or Odell Beckham Jr., who were among the long list of players who didn’t practice Tuesday.
Also not practicing on offense Tuesday: Terron Armstead, Je’Quan Burton, Tahj Washington, and Salvon Ahmed.
As for the abstainers on defense? Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips, Teair Tart, David Long, Nik Needham, and Cameron Goode.