Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was asked about ex-NFL signal-caller (and current ESPN analyst) Cam Newton’s recent criticism of him on First Take amid the team’s struggles, in which he pointed to the ex-Alabama star’s $212.4 million contract, compared it to other quarterbacks making less and playing better and essentially said he’s lacking a “chip on his shoulder” these days.
Tagovailoa provided this response.
“Well, anyone can play quarterback in this league, then. I mean, I want to see anybody on the streets come and play quarterback. I mean, Cam’s doing his thing, for sure, but you know, I think it’s easier to be able to hold a clicker and talk about it that way, or talk about what someone else is doing wrong when you’re not going out and having to do the same as them, right? So I think it’s easy to do that. I think anybody can do that. I don’t think anybody can play quarterback.”
Newton made his remarks after Miami fell to 0-3 (h/t Josue Pavon of Clutch Points).
“Tua Tagovailoa is making more than Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, Baker Mayfield, Matthew Stafford, Jayden Daniels. Am I pocket watching? No, no, no. I’m putting things into perspective here,” Newton said. “What did Biggie say, ‘More money, more problems.’ In this case, it should be more money, more expectations. When I see Tua Tagovailoa over this year alone, I’ve heard him more than I ever have.
“That’s not to say you can’t talk. I like quiet Tua, Alabama Tua, Chip on the shoulder Tua, not somebody going to come in and watch film.”
Newton also added: “What you’re being paid, what you’re being asked to do, what you have the capability of. From one quarterback to another, I look at a situation, it’s like bro, come on, dog. Especially when you got a Ferrari and Lamborghini, and other amenities that some quarterbacks wish they had.”
Tagovailoa is clearly capable of much better play. He led the NFL in yards per attempt (8.9) and quarterback rating (105.5) in 2022. In 2023, Tagovailoa threw for an NFL-high 4,624 passing yards. And then in 2024, Tagovailoa’s 72.9 percent completion rate was a league-best mark.
The 2025 season has included a rough start for Tagovailoa and the 0-3 Dolphins. Tagovailoa has notably thrown a costly interception in each of his last two games, including one with his team down 28-21 but driving deep in enemy territory in the final three minutes of an eventual 31-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills last Thursday.
For the season, Tagovailoa has thrown five touchdowns and four interceptions while amassing 191.7 passing yards per game, down from 260.6 the year before.
He and the Dolphins will look to get in the win column on Monday when they host the New York Jets.
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