Tua Tagovailoa Says He's Not 'Too Cool' to Play in Dolphins Preseason, Wants Snaps

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who appeared in just one series during the 2024 preseason, says he would "love" to take on a larger role in game action this August.

"I'd definitely love to get some preseason snaps in, no doubt," Tagovailoa said at the 7:50 mark of Wednesday's press conference. "It's a new season, it's a new year. Got to get things tuned in with the guys again, all of that.

"I don't think I'm better than anyone on this team, or think I'm too cool to get reps during preseason games. Like, no. I don't mind that at all. I would love that."

Tagovailoa has seen his preseason playing time steadily decline over the last four seasons. He went from attempting 34 passes in two games of the 2021 preseason to registering 13 pass attempts in two games during summer 2023.

The quarterback appeared in just one preseason series before the 2024 season. He went 5-for-5 and completed a passing touchdown on the opening drive of an Aug. 17 win over the Washington Commanders.

The Dolphins' priority this season will be keeping Tagovailoa healthy after he missed six games last season due to a concussion and a hip injury.

Tagovailoa said in a recent appearance on NFL Network that his focus will be on "not putting myself in situations where I'm not available for my team."

The Dolphins have joint practices with the Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars scheduled before the start of the preseason.

Tagovailoa's durability in those sessions, as well as how well the offense seems to gel around him, could influence Mike McDaniel's decision regarding whether to put the star quarterback under center when the Dolphins open the preseason against the Bears on Aug. 10.

Regardless of Tagovailoa's preseason usage, it will likely be former New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson and rookie Quinn Ewers seeing the most snaps in August. McDaniel said on Wednesday that Wilson is slated to back up Tagovailoa this season, and that Ewers has yet to make it a true competition for the QB2 position.