Dolphins Head Coach Defends Tua Tagovailoa After Steelers Loss

Following the Miami Dolphins' disappointing 28-15 defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers, head coach Mike McDaniel expressed his commitment to Tua Tagovailoa as the team’s quarterback, despite the challenges faced in the passing game. With the loss officially ending Miami's playoff hopes, McDaniel acknowledged the need for improvement but emphasized that multiple factors contributed to the team's struggles.

McDaniel addressed reporters after the game, stating, "The passing game hasn't been good enough," but pointed out that the blame should not rest solely on Tagovailoa's shoulders. He noted that everyone, including the coaching staff, must take responsibility for the team's performance. "Several times tonight, he was about to make the right read, and we had our eligible receiver fall over," McDaniel explained. He stressed that it is crucial for the entire team to perform better to secure future victories, especially when the team is not dominating time of possession or effectively controlling the ground game.

Reflecting on the game, McDaniel admitted to feeling "supremely disappointed" with the outcome but remains optimistic about the team's potential to rebound in their upcoming matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 16. He confidently stated, "My expectation is we are going to bounce back no matter how much [this loss] hurts." As the Dolphins look ahead, the focus will be on learning from the mistakes and enhancing their gameplay.