Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel has changed his perspective regarding quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s postgame comments on Sunday.
McDaniel had the chance to listen to what Tagovailoa said following the Dolphins’ 29-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. The coach said that while Tagovailoa had no bad intentions with his comments, the quarterback chose the wrong place and time to sound off.
“After a loss as the franchise QB, that’s not the forum to displace that. I think he knows that now,” McDaniel said, via Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network. “There was no ill intention. But a misguided representation of player-orchestrated film sessions.”
Tagovailoa was publicly critical of some of his teammates for either being late for or skipping player-only meetings. McDaniel was initially supportive of Tagovailoa’s comments, but changed his tune after actually hearing what was said. In retrospect, McDaniel probably should have refrained from commenting until he actually had the chance to listen to them.
Overall, this is another moment of needless drama for the Dolphins, who are 1-5 and watching their season get away from them. McDaniel may also be on the hot seat, so his inadvertent contribution to that drama might not reflect well on him.
The Dolphins face the Cleveland Browns on the road in Week 7. If that one does not go their way, things could escalate to a full-blown crisis in Miami.
