Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa responds to criticism from pundits - ESPN

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — As Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa put it Thursday, talking about playing quarterback is a lot easier than actually playing the position.

When asked about whether he's criticized more for his contract than his play, Tagovailoa suggested his job is more difficult than pundits make it seem.

Tagovailoa was specifically asked about Cam Newton's comments on ESPN's «First Take» last week, following the Dolphins' 31-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills, in which the former NFL MVP criticized Tagovailoa's performance considering the four-year, $212.1 million extension Tagovailoa signed last summer.

«Tagovailoa is making more than Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, Baker Mayfield, Matthew Stafford, Jayden Daniels,» Newton said. «Am I pocket watching? No, I'm putting things into perspective here.… In this case, it should be more money, more expectations. When I see Tua Tagovailoa over this year, alone, I've heard him more than I ever had. That's not to say you can't talk. I like quiet Tua. Alabama Tua. Chip on your shoulder Tua. Not 'Is somebody going to come in and watch film.'

»What you're being paid, what you're asked to do, what you have the capability of — from one quarterback to another, I look at the situation like come on, dawg. Especially when you've got a Ferrari and a Lamborghini and other amenities that other quarterbacks wish they had."

Tagovailoa admitted he hasn't played «anywhere near» the standard he's capable of, but dismissed Newton's comments in response to football pundits as a whole.

«Well, anybody can play quarterback in this league then. I want to see anybody on the streets come and play quarterback,» Tagovailoa said. «Cam is doing his thing for sure, but I think