Throughout the entirety of the 2023 season, Tua Tagovailoa remained under scrutiny though the Miami Dolphins’ head coach was greatly in his favor. Ultimately, he fell short of leading the team to the Super Bowl, prompting teammate Tyreek Hill to offer a pointed suggestion despite his commendable performance in past season.
As rumors circulate about his pursuit of a lucrative contract extension, the Dolphins quarterback finds himself thrust into the limelight once again, this time due to a bold proposal from an NFL analyst.
Joel Klatt claims Dolphins must replace Tua Tagovailoa with Michael Penix Jr.
With rumors suggesting a potential $40 million per season deal for Tua Tagovailoa , opinions on his value vary. Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt weighed in on the debate, suggesting that the Dolphins should consider replacing Tagovailoa with Michael Penix Jr.
Klatt stated the importance of assessing Tagovailoa’s track record, particularly his susceptibility to injuries and the impact on his throwing accuracy. He also mentioned the risk involved in committing to a lucrative deal for a quarterback with injury concerns.
“Giving Tua a huge deal, I think it’s risky. He has been injury prone outside of [concussions]… How many times did Tyreek have to adjust on an underthrown ball?”
As it stands, a quarterback salary in the range of $40 million per year doesn’t seem overly concerning given the trajectory of the market. With top earners soon expected to breach the $60 million mark, the scenario of quarterback contracts is rapidly evolving. Currently, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow leads the pack with an annual salary of $55 million, signaling the potential for escalation.
On the other hand, the suggestion to replace Tua Tagovailoa with Michael Penix Jr. carries its own merit. Penix’s impressive senior year performance, leading the Huskies to an undefeated regular season and a spot in the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship game, proves his capabilities. Despite the championship loss, Penix’s leadership and skill set have not gone unnoticed.
Tua Tagovailoa 2023 NFL season in numbers
Tua Tagovailoa had a solid performance during the 2023 NFL season. He racked up an impressive total of 4,624 yards, 29 passing touchdowns and 14 interceptions. His overall performance earned him a passer rating of 101.1 for the past season, per ESPN.
In a playoff matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, the former Alabama quarterback amassed 199 yards, threw one touchdown, and experienced one interception, ultimately succumbing to the reigning Super Bowl champions.
His stellar display earned him a spot in his inaugural Pro Bowl appearance. As a result of his remarkable achievements in the previous season, there is a strong belief in his ability to spearhead the Dolphins’ team in the forthcoming season.
