Cam Newton Says Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins Have 'More Love Island Drama Than Football'

Former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst Cam Newton has offered more remarks on Miami Dolphins signal-caller Tua Tagovailoa, even citing the infamous Love Island reality dating show during a segment on Friday's edition of First Take.

"When I see the situation that has taken place in Miami, it's more Love Island drama than football," Newton said in part (2:57 mark). "And in large part, I wouldn't say it's all on tour, but it is a main ingredient."

During the Sept. 19 edition of First Take, Newton had some things to say about Tagovailoa, who has endured a tough start to the season at the helm of the 0-3 Dolphins (h/t Josue Pavon of Clutch Points).

"Tua Tagovailoa is making more than Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, Baker Mayfield, Matthew Stafford, Jayden Daniels. Am I pocket watching? No, no, no. I'm putting things into perspective here," Newton said. "What did Biggie say, 'More money, more problems.' In this case, it should be more money, more expectations. When I see Tua Tagovailoa over this year alone, I've heard him more than I ever have.

"That's not to say you can't talk. I like quiet Tua, Alabama Tua, Chip on the shoulder Tua, not somebody going to come in and watch film."

Newton expanded upon his points: "What you're being paid, what you're being asked to do, what you have the capability of. From one quarterback to another, I look at a situation, it's like bro, come on, dog. Especially when you got a Ferrari and Lamborghini, and other amenities that some quarterbacks wish they had."

Tagovailoa was asked about Newton's remarks in a Thursday press conference.

"Well, anyone can play quarterback in this league, then. I mean, I want to see anybody on the streets come and play quarterback. I mean, Cam's doing his thing, for sure, but you know, I think it's easier to be able to hold a clicker and talk about it that way, or talk about what someone else is doing wrong when you're not going out and having to do the same as them, right? So I think it's easy to do that. I think anybody can do that. I don't think anybody can play quarterback."

Now Newton has provided his own response on those comments.

His whole commentary can be found beginning at the 2:13 mark.

"Part of me wants to admit to say anybody can go 0-3. Anybody, you know, can really look at the optics and say, 'Hey, dog, like, but did I lie though?'

"But this is where we have to understand, do I feel a certain type of way? Absolutely not. I've said what I said, and I'll stand on what I said. This Tua Tagovailoa that we have seen within the last 12 months is not something and someone that is indicative of what we've seen before.

"I use the reference as Quiet Tua, Alabama Tua, Tua under Nick Saban, and everybody understands where I'm coming from. When I see the situation that has taken place in Miami, it's more Love Island drama than football.

"And in large part, I wouldn't say it's all on Tua, but it is a main ingredient. And I just know what he's capable of. There are times that we've seen Tua Tagovailoa play football, and it was at a high level. You don't make [$53 million] by just being a random on the street.

"Now, I don't know if he was using the reference: 'Anybody can do it with the clicker.'

"Yes, Tua, you are absolutely right. It is extremely easy to try to do what us good constituents are doing. But the truth is, it's also easy to go [0-3]. And I want you to hear this.

"Tua, let it rip. And when you have a Jaylen Waddle, when you have a Tyreek Hill, when you have Mike McDaniel as your coach, you have all the assets and the amenities that you have once showed that you're capable of. I don't know what this is in Miami though."

Newton's right. This Dolphins team is two years removed from having the No. 2 scoring offense in football. During that 2023 season, Tagovailoa threw for an NFL-high 4,624 passing yards. The year before, Tagovailoa paced the NFL in quarterback rating (105.5).

This year has been a nightmare, though, for the winless Dolphins. Tagovailoa threw fourth-quarter interceptions in losses to the New England Patriots (33-27) and Buffalo Bills (31-21). He also threw for just 114 yards in a Week 1 loss to the Indianapolis Colts (33-8).

Ultimately, Miami is 25th in points and 32nd in points allowed. The time is now for Tagovailoa and the Dolphins to showcase their talents and meet the potential seen in recent memory. They'll have a chance to do just that on Monday when they host the winless New York Jets.