Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa Admits He Didn't Know Miami Playbook Well Enough In 2021

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, 23, is speaking out about playing under the microscope in his first year in the NFL.

The quarterback, who was the team's starter by the end of the season, now says that he wasn't as prepared as he should have been. Had he known the playbook of the Dolphins as well as he should have, he could have led them to more offensive success in 2020.

“I wasn’t as comfortable just in general,” Tagovailoa said after an OTA practice in Miami on Wednesday.

“I wasn’t comfortable calling plays. I think the guys that were here last year were phenomenal. I just didn’t have the comfortability of checking plays, alerting plays and doing that. I just rode with the play, even if I knew it wasn’t going to work. I was going to try to make it work still.”

Tagovailoa is confident that Year Two will be a lot different, and that he and the rest of the offensive will be prepared for a big season down in South Beach.

"I feel comfortable, and I can maneuver my way through these things now," Tagovailoa said.

Tua had moments last year when he looked like a star. He ended the season throwing for 1,814 yards with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions.

While veteran backup Ryan Fitzpatrick, who had some amazing late-game moments of heroics for Miami, drew a lot of attention, Tagovailoa is the long-term future for the franchise, which is why the club didn't lose much sleep this offseason when Fitzpatrick left for Washington.

The team knows that Tagovailoa is the player they want to see succeed long term, and the quarterback spot will be his to run, starting in 2021.