The Miami Dolphins are coming off a challenging NFL season in which they missed the postseason and finished second in the AFC East. Looking ahead, they hope to start the upcoming campaign on the right foot, placing significant trust in quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. However, in their preseason debut against the Chicago Bears, Tagovailoa showed a few early hiccups as he worked to find his rhythm.
The Dolphins faced the Bears on Sunday afternoon in a matchup that offered the team a chance to test its depth and execution. After the game, Tagovailoa clarified that his participation in the preseason opener was unrelated to Friday’s practice session. “That was boss man’s decision,” Tagovailoa said, referring to head coach Mike McDaniel.
While it’s only the preseason, the Dolphins view every snap as an opportunity to fine-tune their offense and build momentum heading into the regular season. For Tagovailoa, these early outings serve as valuable preparation as Miami aims to return to playoff contention.
In the first extended test for a Miami Dolphins team looking to reinvent themselves after an 8-9 finish in 2024-25, head coach Mike McDaniel had to like what he saw. Starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa ran the offense with precision, first-round draft picks Kenneth Grant and Jonah Savaiinaea made an impact at the line of scrimmage, and the revamped special teams unit showed promising flashes in the preseason opener.
The takeaways Tua delivered during the matchup
Tagovailoa looked like he’s ready for the season to start tomorrow. That’s the short — and most important — takeaway from QB1, who efficiently led the Dolphins in high-pressure situations, guiding them to within a yard of the end zone. Miami dominated the clock on that drive, holding the ball for nearly 10 minutes.
On another series, McDaniel went for it on fourth-and-3 from their own 49 to open the game. Tagovailoa connected with Washington for a 6-yard gain to move the chains. A few plays later, needing to convert a third-and-4, he found Washington again for 9 yards, keeping the offense rolling and the Bears’ defense on the field.
After a rough Friday practice in which he threw three interceptions, Tagovailoa appeared much more composed, playing at a level Dolphins fans have come to expect. With dynamic weapons like Tyreek Hill alongside him and a coaching staff willing to take calculated risks, Miami’s confidence in their quarterback remains as high as ever heading into the regular NFL season.