Dolphins’ McDaniel on Tua contract, play calling and more at NFL owners meetings

The Dolphins continue to negotiate a long-term extension with Tua Tagovailoa but coach Mike McDaniel doesn’t think it will impact the quarterback’s participation in organized team activities this spring.

It’s not foreign for players in contract talks to skip voluntary workouts as a precautionary measure — and as a negotiating tactic. McDaniel, though, anticipates Tagovailoa will be in attendance when OTAs start April 15.

‘’I do expect him to be in OTAs because of my working relationship with Tua,” McDaniel said at the NFL’s annual owners meetings on Monday. “And for two years I’ve watched Tua gain some unbelievable residuals towards the season in that process. It’s part of the reason Tua is who he is, because he’s always learning, never staying the same and always working on his craft.”

He added: “I don’t really put too much thought beyond that. I understand the business but I also understand my job with Tua is to make sure that his football is continuing to evolve, and the best days are in front of him, which is both of our goals.”

The Dolphins have been in contract talks with Tagovailoa’s agent since the end of the 2023 season, but general manager Chris Grier said at the NFL Scouting Combine that there is no timeline to get a deal done.

A source reiterated that an extension for Tagovailoa, 26, is not imminent and that there is no rush to get one done.

If the two sides can’t strike a deal, Tagovailoa would play the final year of his rookie deal on the fifth-year option, worth $23.17 million.

A deal for Tagovailoa will likely make him one of the highest-paid players in the NFL. In 2023, Tagovailoa was named to his first Pro Bowl and set career-high marks for passing yards (4,624) and touchdowns (29). He also played in every game for the first time in his career.

McDaniel makes decision on play calling duties

While McDaniel at the end of the 2023 season said that he was open to evaluating his role as offensive play caller, he plans to continue to call plays in 2024.

“I’ve thought about it long and hard,” he said, “and I think one of the things that we’ve done this offseason is really leaned into the facilitation of full communication and development of our staff in all three phases. I think from play calling perspective, for now, in the spring, I’m going to call plays, and I plan on doing it in the fall. But we’ll always adjust, if necessary.”

In 2023, the Dolphins finished first in yards but struggled against top defenses. Against non-playoff teams, Miami’s offense averaged 33.5 points. But against playoff teams, which the Dolphins had a 1-6 record against last season, the offense averaged just 12 points.

McDaniel said at the Combine that Miami’s offense will continue to evolve and build on from the previous season.

No timeline for Chubb, Phillips return

The Dolphins’ top two pass rushers continue to rehab significant leg injuries they sustained in the second half of the 2023 season.

While McDaniel has been encouraged by the progress of Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips, he said there is no timeline for their return to the field.

“Bradley Chubb and Jalen Phillips are extreme versions of, hey, we need to make sure they’re not chasing a timeline,” McDaniel said. “Because as competitors, they will achieve that timeline and might be at the worse for their bodies. Relative to timelines, we specifically don’t have those for those two.”

He added: “We’ve had to mandate that they have a week off of rehab just recently, both of them, because they live there. They have a pseudo-tape on-the-floor parking spots for their little scooters that they’ve graduated from. And they’re both doing exactly what you’d expect from those two individuals, which is absolutely attacking that process but doing it from the perspective of they don’t want to get healthy for one week. They want to be comfortable for the whole season.”

Chubb tore his ACL on Dec. 31, while Phillips tore his Achilles on Nov. 24. Given the severity of the injuries and when they sustained them, both players could be sidelined for the start of the season. Miami signed veteran pass rusher Shaq Barrett in free agency.

“I don’t know what the schedule is,” Phillips said at the Dolphins Challenge Cancer event in February. “All I know is I feel strong. I feel great. It’s been an exciting rehab. It’s been awesome so far.”