Slowik Commends Tagovailoa, Remains Silent on Dolphins’ QB Strategy
The Miami Dolphins are in a period of transition as they prepare for the 2026 NFL season. Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik recently commended quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for his grace during a challenging season. However, Slowik refrained from confirming the team’s plans for Tagovailoa moving forward.
Bobby Slowik’s Role and Perspective on Tagovailoa
After his promotion from passing game coordinator, Slowik spoke to the media about his aspirations in his new position. When questioned about the quarterback situation, he emphasized the early stages of player evaluation. Slowik stated, “We’re going to try to push competition as often as we can at every single spot.”
Slowik highlighted Tagovailoa’s composure amid adversity last season, referring to the quarterback’s ability to maintain professionalism despite facing significant challenges. “I know last year was a difficult year for him, for a lot of different reasons,” Slowik remarked. He praised Tagovailoa’s character and work ethic, noting, “You can’t say enough about that, how good of a person he was.”
Tagovailoa’s 2025 Season
During the 2025 season, Tagovailoa faced struggles, culminating in his benching for the last three games. He amassed a career-high of 15 interceptions in just 14 games, failing to exceed 200 passing yards in eight of those appearances. Following the season, Tagovailoa expressed a willingness to explore new opportunities, while general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan confirmed that decisions regarding the quarterback position would be made this offseason.
Dolphins’ Offensive Strategy for 2026
Slowik, who has previous experience as offensive coordinator for the Houston Texans, outlined a flexible approach tailored to the team’s strengths. He aims to establish a solid run game, stating the starting point would be at the line of scrimmage.
- Running back De’Von Achane received praise for his performance, notably rushing for a career-high 1,350 yards in 2025.
- Slowik mentioned Achane’s versatility and impact on opposing defenses, saying, “It opens up a lot of doors.”
Future Leadership and Player Decisions
In conversations about the roster, Slowik deferred to head coach Jeff Hafley and General Manager Jon-Eric Sullivan for decisions regarding personnel. He also acknowledged the need to address the situation with wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who missed a significant portion of the previous season due to injury.
Overall, the Dolphins are at a pivotal moment as they strive to build a competitive team. With uncertainty at the quarterback position and the need for a dynamic offense, the upcoming offseason will be crucial for the franchise.