Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel plans to show heightened awareness and sensitivity to the contract matter involving his starting quarterback.
Tua Tagovailoa reported to camp but whether he participates in some, all or none of the practices on the schedule could be a day-to-day decision, McDaniel admitted Wednesday.
“I think it’s important to acknowledge that Tua’s in the midst of a contract negotiation,” McDaniel said. “That’s important to him and the football team. That being said, we communicate very well. It’s very fluid. We’re taking it day by day. Today I expect it to be kind of like OTAs, and we’ll move on from here.”
Tagovailoa, 26, didn’t participate in full-team drills or 11-on-11 work in minicamp.
McDaniel noted Tagovailoa’s absences during minicamp as he enters the final season of his rookie contract, the fifth-year team option exercised by Miami.
McDaniel said the Dolphins signaled to Tagovailoa, the No. 5 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, very early that they intended to keep him in the fold long-term.
“I know as an organization we’ve prioritized it by entering into negotiations a long time ago, whenever that started. I think it speaks to how important it is, both sides, they’re relentlessly working on it. Great things take time,” McDaniel said.
Tagovailoa remains open and communicative with McDaniel, the coach said, exhibiting an understanding that both need to zero in on getting better and being ready for the regular season.
“Ultimately he knows, any way you cut it, our focus has to be on what it looks like when he’s playing football,” McDaniel said.
–Field Level Media
