Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa set aside his contract concerns and joined the team for 7-on-7 drills on Wednesday as training camp began.
The fifth-year QB is looking for a new contract that reflects his value compared to other quarterbacks drafted with him in 2020. On Tuesday, Tagovailoa’s teammates expected him to be on the field with them.
Tagovailoa didn’t talk to reporters on Wednesday.
“If you let them, those things can distract you,” said Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel. “I talk openly with the team about this. We’re not robots. We have to consciously focus on the right things, and I believe our team is doing that. They’re eager to practice against each other.”
While Tagovailoa’s contract remains a topic, the Dolphins started their third year under McDaniel with hopes of ending a 24-year playoff win drought.
Miami was close to winning the AFC East title last season but lost three of their last five games, including a home game against Buffalo that gave the Bills the division title and pushed the Dolphins to a wild-card spot. Their season ended with a playoff loss to eventual Super Bowl champions Kansas City in cold weather.
Jordan Poyer, a former Bills safety who joined Miami in the offseason, said opponents believed the Dolphins would struggle if they fell behind against top teams.
“That doesn’t affect me,” said defensive back Jalen Ramsey about those comments. “This year’s team is different from last year’s team in many ways, including having Poyer with us now. It’s just the beginning. We need to establish our identity.”
One of the changes this season is the hiring of Anthony Weaver as defensive coordinator. Weaver, who worked with the Baltimore Ravens for the past three seasons, will bring defensive strategies from his former team to Miami.
