Former Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa returned to Hard Rock Stadium on Friday evening, where he was met with loud booing from fans. Tagovailoa had been released by the Dolphins over the offseason despite having two years remaining on a $212 million contract. He now plays for the Atlanta Falcons and was named to start in Friday’s preseason game against the Denver Broncos. The Dolphins’ head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that Tua Tagovailoa would begin the game in place of Michael Penix Jr., who is still recovering from a knee injury.
Tagovailoa’s return to Miami came after a difficult stretch in his career with the Dolphins, according to heavy.com. He had been one of the team’s top performers during his six seasons there, finishing with the fourth-most passing yards and touchdowns in franchise history. Despite that, he was unable to end Miami’s playoff win drought that dates back to the 2000 season.
His time with the Dolphins ended after a series of health issues in 2024. During Friday’s game, Tagovailoa completed three of four passes for 54 yards, including a 37-yard pass to Kyle Pitts, according to a report from Yahoo Sports. The Falcons scored early with a touchdown on Brian Robinson’s 3-yard run.
Miami’s offense started slowly, with Tua fumbling the ball on Atlanta’s second possession, which was recovered by Willie Gay, floridatoday.com reported. The Dolphins’ starting lineup included rookie receiver Chris Bell, who caught a pass from Cam Miller on the team’s first play. Malik Willis started in the preseason opener, while Cam Miller started last week.
The Dolphins have not yet announced who will start against Atlanta, but they are expected to continue their search for a stable quarterback. Tagovailoa’s performance in this game could influence his future with the Falcons and whether he remains in the running for a starting role.
The Dolphins’ fans showed their feelings by booing him as he entered the field, signaling strong emotions about his departure from the team.
IMAGE: Dec 27, 2021; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) calls for the ball against New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports. Photo: CCS Pictures / Wikimedia, taken 2021-12-27, CC BY-SA 2.0