The Tua Tagovailoa era is reportedly coming to an end for the Miami Dolphins, but the roller coaster ride that the franchise and the player have been on since he was drafted fifth overall in 2020 is far from over. Tagovailoa is set to become a sought-after free agent for teams in need of a proven NFL quarterback following his release from the Dolphins.
However, NFL analyst Stephen A. Smith is baffled by the quarterback’s decision to keep playing amid his history with head injuries.
Stephen A. Smith Calls for Tua Tagovailoa To Retire Amid Health Concerns
Following the announcement that the Dolphins would be moving on from their former top pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Smith appeared on “First Take” to discuss his issue with Tagovailoa, aiming to continue his NFL career after being released by the Dolphins.
“I actually thought he should have retired a couple of years ago. … You can’t really rely and depend on him because he just can’t take that punishment.”
—@stephenasmith on Tua Tagovailoa following his release from the Dolphins 🏈 pic.twitter.com/yJCBBcYJCB
— First Take (@FirstTake) March 9, 2026
“I actually thought he should have retired a couple of years ago. … You can’t really rely and depend on him because he just can’t take that punishment,” Smith said on “First Take.”
Smith made sure to avoid discrediting Tagovailoa’s ability to throw the football, stating he is one of the best in a clean pocket, but when the offensive line is unable to give him time, hits can rattle him quickly.
“We all know that Tua can play… but the bottom line is that his durability is a huge question mark; he was never the same since that vicious concussion that he suffered against Cincinnati,” Smith said.
Smith went on to state his concerns about Tagovailoa’s future in the NFL, claiming that he absolutely has the talent to be a solid quarterback; however, following the multiple head injuries he has suffered, he has not returned to the level he once was.
Tagovailoa had some great years with former head coach Mike McDaniel with the Dolphins, including back-to-back playoff appearances in 2022 and 2023, and leading the league in passing yards in 2023, when the Dolphins went 11-6. But Tagovailoa has failed to return to the level that Dolphins fans and management once saw, leading to his release.
Releasing the former top-five pick was not an easy decision for first-year general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, especially given the fact that the Dolphins will now be taking on an NFL record $99 million dead cap hit, which will be spread across the next two seasons.
The decision to release the QB fans once thought was their next franchise quarterback is quite the expensive one, but a necessary one if the team looks to bring in a new starting quarterback in the first year of head coach Jeff Hafley’s tenure.
Although Smith believes Tagovailoa should have hung up the cleats following multiple concussions to protect his health, the quarterback will have no shortage of suitors as a free agent in a generally weak free agent quarterback class. The Atlanta Falcons have already emerged as suitors for the left-handed quarterback, with franchise quarterback Michael Penix Jr. expected to miss significant time following another major knee injury.
Tagovailoa and Penix Jr. could create quite an interesting quarterback room with both quarterbacks being left-handed. If Tagovailoa is able to win a starting role whenever he chooses to sign in 2026, he will have the opportunity to revitalize his career in a change of scenery.
Although Smith believes Tagovailoa is a shell of his former self due to the brutal concussions he has faced throughout his six years in the NFL, Tagovailoa is not quite ready to give up his football dreams. Could we see a prove-it season from the Hawaiian native, or is Smith correct in saying that his durability and health concerns are too much to overcome?
