Tua Tagovailoa’s has reportedly received a big update on his future with the Miami Dolphins after an impressive season on South Beach. 

2022 was very much going to be a ‘prove it’ year for Tua Tagovailoa, after he had made something of an inasuspicious start when it came to his time in the National Football League. Having been taken with the #5 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, his first two years didn’t necessarily back up his high draft status.

Whilst his numbers were quite reasonable, throwing for a combined 4,467 yards 27 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, not bad for someone who was still adjusting to the league, he faced a number of problems including being benched for veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick during his first season, and then suffering a hip injury during his second which also impacted his playing time. 

Not only that, but he also saw the Miami Dolphins actively try to trade for then-Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, so it was pretty clear that Tagovailoa would need to do something to impress the team this season in order to convince them he had a future, and boy did he do that.

Tua Tagovailoa takes it to the next level

Helped in large part to the addition of wide receiver Tyreek Hill, Tagovailoa and the Dolphins have been one of the more electric offenses in the league, with Tagovailoa leading the league in yards per completion and quarterback rating whenever he is on the field. 

However, this season has also seen his health put in serious question through a number of concussions, with things getting so bad that the NFL had to launch an investigation into how it was handled. Those problems have persisted into the postseason with Tagovailoa set to miss their game against the Buffalo Bills. 

But despite those concerns, it seems as though he has earned the trust of the organisation when he was on the field, and according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, he will be coming back as the team’s starter for next season: 

Regardless of what happens in Sunday's wild-card game in Buffalo or throughout Miami's postseason, the Dolphins have been pleased with Tagovailoa's development this season under first-year coach Mike McDaniel, according to sources.

Medical professionals also are confident that Tagovailoa should be able to resume his NFL career next season.

It certainly seems like the obvious move, but given the concerns about his health it was never going to be 100% confirmed and may well have given the Dolphins something to think about. The objective now is to make sure that he stays healthy all through next season when he can hopefully take his game to an even greater level.