MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, at his current pace, would break Peyton Manning’s single-season passing record (5,477, 2013).
But when alerted to that fact Wednesday, he shrugged.
“That definitely would be cool,” Tagovailoa finally allowed. “But if we don’t get to where we get to as a team, none of that would mean anything.”
Tagovailoa and the Dolphins want to go to Las Vegas, home of Super Bowl 58.
And the only way that happens is by keeping their franchise quarterback healthy.
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Miami Dolphins Are Protecting QB Tua Tagovailoa
Which leads us to the most important and impressive stat of Tagovailoa’s young season:
Zero.
That’s the number of games Tagovailoa has missed through five weeks.
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And it’s the number of times he’s even appeared on a Dolphins injury report — meaning he has not needed treatment on any injury so far this year.
Both are very promising developments for a player who has missed 10 games (including playoffs) due to injury since his rookie year.
“I feel really good,” Tagovailoa said after Wednesday’s Dolphins practice. “The best that any quarterback could feel or any football player could feel at this point of the season.”
Why?
There isn’t just one reason, but the biggest one is a much improved offensive line.
The Dolphins have allowed the fewest pressures (26), second-fewest sacks (6), and fourth-fewest QB hits (10) among teams that have played five games.
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— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) October 8, 2023
But that’s not the only factor. He has the quickest release in football. Tua’s time to throw is a league-low 2.37 — but that’s by design. Mike McDaniel doesn’t ask his quarterbacks to sit back and pat the ball. Instead, they diagnose and then let it rip.
The results have been spectacular. Tagovailoa leads the NFL in passing yards (1,614) and yards per attempt (9.7) and is top three in touchdowns (11), QBR (75.6), and passer rating (111.9).
“It’s a testament to everyone,” Tagovailoa said of the lack of punishment inflicted on his body. “Every one of those guys on the offense. The offensive line allowing time, receivers knowing where they have to be in the timing of the play. And then really just having to distribute the ball, getting the ball out on time for those guys.”