Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has struggled this season. Even in his better games, he hasn’t reached the level he showed in 2022 and 2023. Now, ahead of Week 8, Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III has shared his thoughts on Tua.

Bates said, “Tua’s a really good QB… he’s a high processor, able to see things at a high level but I feel like once we take away some of the first reads, I think he’s the best when he’s in his rhythm.” His remarks added to the scrutiny surrounding Miami’s already struggling campaign.

Tua hasn’t found his rhythm this season. His recent performance against the Browns made things worse.

The Dolphins are heading into Week 8 after a very disappointing 31-6 loss. In that game, Tagovailoa threw for just 100 yards on 23 attempts. It was his second consecutive game with three interceptions. And to make matters worse, Tua was benched in the fourth quarter, with Quinn Ewers stepping in to replace him.

The road ahead isn’t getting easier for the Dolphins. They face the Falcons next, who despite their own struggles, sit at 3-3, better than Miami’s 1-6. The Dolphins’ only win came against the winless Jets.

And Tua is aware of his rough performance. While addressing the media, he said, “Definitely not happy, not proud of where I’m at with my play, with how I’ve gone about things this year.”

“But this isn’t years past. This is this year, right? And just trying to maneuver everything and trying to build a collection of guys to kind of bring along with me,” the quarterback added.

Despite the struggles, head coach Mike McDaniel still believes in Tua. He said, “We had a great hour meeting the day before, as Tua and I have always operated. I think there’s zero uncertainty with Tua on my conviction in him and my belief in him. We’re both very eager to do better at our jobs, and we’re both very committed and trusting of each other to respond to what is necessary for the team to do better.”

Tagovailoa also reciprocated that faith. After the Browns game, when asked about his benching, the quarterback replied, ”Head bosses’ decision.”

These controversies around Tua aren’t stopping anytime soon. But the quarterback has a few people who are openly supporting him.

Tyreek Hill’s support for Tua Tagovailoa

Wide receiver Tyreek Hill has come forward to support the quarterback. On ‘The Set’s’ the 31-year-old said, “I’m going to support Tua regardless of what he’s got going on, that’s my brother… he’s a great leader. He’s passionate about Miami, he loves the community and he wants to win games in Miami.”

After the loss to the Chargers, the quarterback publicly called out his teammates. Speaking to the media after the game, he said some players had been showing up late to team meetings.

However, just a few days later, he apologized, saying, “I made a mistake. I’m owning up to that right now.” Still, it’s hard to undo the damage once such a statement has been made.

Even so, Hill looked past it and said, “I kind of feel what he’s saying because, at the end of the day, that should show people that he wants to win. He is confident that Tagovailoa can bounce back and finish the season on a stronger note.