Should Dolphins commit long-term to Tagovailoa? CBS’ Boomer Esiason, Phil Simms weigh in

When Tua Tagovailoa was asked last week about the possibility of receiving a long-term contract, the Dolphins quarterback said: “I believe that will happen.”

But is that the right decision for the Dolphins?

Two prominent CBS studio analysts and former Pro Bowl quarterbacks addressed that question on Tuesday during a media Zoom session previewing the network’s Super Bowl coverage.

Both Phil Simms and Boomer Esiason said a long-term contract is the Dolphins’ best play:

▪ Esiason, the 1988 NFL MVP and among the best left-handed quarterbacks in NFL history, cracked that Tagovailoa is “my favorite left-handed quarterback in the league. The only one until [draft eligible Washington Huskies QB] Michael Penix comes in.

“I think they can build around him. He showed he has the ability to play 17 games. They fell apart at the end of the season. It started with that Tennessee Titans game and then their defense started to fall apart injury wise and they were pulling guys off the street. I thought they played a tough game against Kansas City. I know it was cold there.

“We could all sit here and say maybe he has a hard time playing in the cold weather. So they need homefield advantage.

“But what’s the alternative? How many other guys out there can do what he did this year? Remember, he was on the MVP watch list literally for 15 weeks of the season, maybe until they lost the Tennessee Titan game and lost possibly the No. 1 seed in the AFC. I would definitely build around him.

“I think he’s terrific for Mike McDaniel’s offense and if McDaniel wants him around, with the uniqueness of the way he coaches and the bond they have together, the ownership of the Miami Dolphins, I think you have to give him a longterm contract.”

▪ Simms: “I agree. I don’t think you really have a choice. Boomer said it right: What are you going to do? Who are you going to go out there and get? Every quarterback needs an offense that fits him and has the right system.

“Look at Tua. He was having a hard time being the starting quarterback or even maybe on the team down there. They changed coaches. What does he do? [McDaniel] brings in truly the perfect offense for Tua. He can get rid of the football quick. He can anticipate… He’s really good at that. Everything they’ve done was really to benefit him. They were unlucky with all the injuries they had; that happens to a lot of good teams…

“Quarterbacks need the coach and the system that fits you so you can excel. Tua did it when they were healthy. I felt like Boomer there for a while, ‘Damn, he’s going to win the MVP.’”

Here’s my other Tuesday Dolphins piece with J.J. Watt’s comments about new Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver (Watt played for him in Houston) and an injury update.