In the aftermath of the Miami Dolphins’ disappointing loss to the Cleveland Browns, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa shed light on a unique challenge he faces on the field – his height, or lack thereof.
Want to know what people are really saying? Don’t miss the buzz from Reddit at the end!
Tua’s Towering Troubles: The Height Hurdle
Tua Tagovailoa, the Miami Dolphins’ quarterback, attributed the lack of targets for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle in their Week 7 loss to the Cleveland Browns to an unexpected factor – his own height. Standing at 6-foot-1, Tagovailoa candidly admitted, ‘I think with that, some of it has to do with being able to see guys,’ “Tua Tagovailoa” referring to the difficulty of spotting receivers over the towering offensive linemen. This revelation sheds light on the unique challenges faced by shorter quarterbacks in the NFL. Despite hauling in 31 receptions for 413 yards and 3 touchdowns on the season, Waddle’s involvement was limited against the Browns’ stout defense.
Dolphins’ Downward Spiral: Tua’s Turbulent Tenure
The Browns game marked a low point in Tagovailoa’s season, as he completed just 148 of 219 attempts for 1,389 yards, while throwing 12 touchdowns and a concerning 10 interceptions. The Dolphins’ offense mustered a paltry 202 total points, and their record plummeted to a dismal 1-6. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Tagovailoa has struggled on passes to the center of the field, where shorter quarterbacks often have difficulty seeing over the linemen, throwing for 683 yards with six touchdowns and a concerning nine interceptions in that area.
Tua’s Tall Task: Overcoming Offensive Obstacles
Tagovailoa’s height-related challenges are further compounded by his underwhelming performance metrics this season. Out of 34 qualifying quarterbacks in 2025, he ranks a disappointing 29th in EPA/play and 31st in success rate, according to Ben Baldwin’s database. With his contract running through the 2028 season and carrying cap hits of at least $53 million each of the next three years, per Over The Cap, the Dolphins face a tall task in determining Tagovailoa’s future with the team. Tagovailoa has also been plagued by sacks, absorbing 17 on the year for a loss of 88 yards.
Tua’s Titanic Turnaround: Can He Rise Above?
Despite the mounting challenges, all hope is not lost for Tagovailoa and the Dolphins. As they prepare to face the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, the young quarterback has an opportunity to showcase his ability to overcome adversity and adapt his game to compensate for his height disadvantage. The Falcons have allowed 1,912 passing yards and 15 sacks this season, presenting Tagovailoa with a chance to get back on track. With the right adjustments and support from the coaching staff and teammates, Tagovailoa could potentially engineer a titanic turnaround and silence his critics.
Tua’s Teetering Trajectory: A Pivotal Pivot Point
The upcoming game against the Falcons represents a pivotal moment in Tagovailoa’s career trajectory. A strong performance could reignite confidence in his abilities and solidify his position as the Dolphins’ franchise quarterback. Conversely, another lackluster outing may cast further doubt on his long-term viability and prompt the team to reevaluate their options. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Tagovailoa as he navigates this critical juncture, determined to rise above the height hurdle and lead the Dolphins, who have accumulated 1,888 passing yards and 932 rushing yards so far, to success.
Internet Reactions to Tua’s Height Hurdle
The internet has been abuzz with reactions to Tua Tagovailoa’s candid admission about his height-related struggles as the Miami Dolphins’ quarterback. Many fans and commentators have weighed in, offering diverse perspectives on the challenges the young QB faces.
While some comments have been critical of Tagovailoa’s public revelation, others have noted that his height disadvantage is a legitimate challenge that shorter quarterbacks in the NFL often face. The discussion has also extended to comparisons with other vertically-challenged signal-callers, like Kyler Murray, and whether Tagovailoa can overcome this obstacle to lead the Dolphins to success.
Ultimately, the discussion surrounding Tua’s height-related challenges has highlighted the unique obstacles that some players face in the NFL. As Tagovailoa and the Dolphins aim to turn their season around, the internet’s collective reaction serves as a reminder that transparency and open dialogue, even about sensitive topics, can foster greater understanding and support for athletes navigating the complexities of professional sports.