Terron Armstead sends clear message to Miami Dolphins fans about Tua Tagovailoa

After two winning seasons under head coach Mike McDaniel, the Miami Dolphins regressed in 2024. The Dolphins could only manage an 8-9 record and failed to make the postseason for the first time under McDaniel.

There are hopes of a major improvement in 2025 but much of that will depend on the fitness of starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. He has suffered three concussions during his time in the NFL and he missed a significant portion of last season due to a hip injury.

Nevertheless, Tagovailoa’s former teammate Terron Armstead believes that he is the right man to lead the Dolphins forward. Armstead retired from the Dolphins after last season and he had worked with Tagovailoa for three years.

“I wholeheartedly believe in Tua,” Armstead explained. “I’ve seen him snap into a mode that looked familiar to me, from Drew Brees. That’s why I have no problem making the comparison. The consistency of that, him snapping into that assassin mode, sniper mode.”

Armstead is not the first person to make a comparison between Tagvailoa and Brees, although the former has a long way to go to match his achievements in the game. Brees won Super Bowl XLIV with the New Orleans Saints and was twice named NFL Offensive Player of the Year.

Nevertheless, there are certainly similarities between the two QBs. Both Tagovailoa and Brees are undersized for their position but they boast incredible passing accuracy and impressive anticipation. Along with that, Armstead was full of praise for Tagovailoa’s competitive instinct and willingness to fight.

“That’s that championship DNA. That we want to see more consistently. We believe he can do it. I think the Dolphins’ season comes down to keeping Tua upright and whether we can keep Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips healthy.”

Tagovailoa’s form in 2025 may well be linked to the future of Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith, who set franchise records for a TE last year. Smith has one year left on his current deal and has skipped the mandatory minicamp this week with his future still undecided. If the Dolphins can keep hold of Smith that will aid their push for a playoff return.

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