Ahead of the Miami Dolphins’ Week 4 matchup against the New York Jets, signal-caller Tua Tagovailoa commented on some of the flak he’s received for his play given the massive contract extension he signed with Miami in the summer of 2024. He said he would like to see his detractors suit up and be a quarterback and that it’s easy to criticize him with a clicker in hand.
That came after former MVP quarterback Cam Newton was among those critical of the Dolphins quarterback. Now, Newton has responded.
🎥 Cam Newton responds to Tua Tagovailoa’s comments regarding media criticism: “When I see the situation that has taken place in Miami, it’s more Love Island drama than football… The truth is, it’s also easy to go [0-3].” (@FirstTake) #PhinsUp https://t.co/lcceSA27Dg pic.twitter.com/mM8hPrj212
— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) September 26, 2025
For as much as Tagovailoa probably doesn’t love all the criticism that’s gone his way since he inked his extension, that criticism has also been very justified.
Frankly, ever since Tagovailoa appeared in all 17 of Miami’s games and led the league in passing yards in the 2023 season, he has been unable to put together another season of that caliber.
First, injuries spoiled much of his 2024 season, dampening the fact that he led the league in competition percentage. Thanks to head and hip injuries, he was limited to just 11 games played. The Dolphins missed the playoffs for the first time under head coach Mike McDaniel that season as well and won just eight games.
Fast forward to this season, and while Tagovailoa at least has been healthy enough to play in all of the team’s games so far, he’s looked woefully out of sorts to start.
He has four interceptions through three contests played and has thrown at least one in each of Miami’s games up to this point. Tagovailoa had a back-breaking interception late in the Dolphins’ loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 3.
If Tagovailoa wants to quiet all of the negative noise that’s surrounding him and the team, going out and playing well in the Dolphins’ upcoming game against the Jets would be a step in the right direction. Miami needs to get in the win column as soon as possible in order to have a chance to turn its season around.
