Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel confirmed on Tuesday that quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been in and out of the team’s voluntary offseason program. Tagovailoa participated on Monday but was absent on Tuesday to play in Nick Saban’s golf tournament. McDaniel did not disclose whether Tagovailoa’s absence was contract-related, stating, “I don’t make a habit of speaking for other people’s mouths. I’ll let you ask Tua.”
Despite not being at the team facility, Tagovailoa has been actively working on his physical conditioning during the offseason. According to Cameron Wolfe of NFL Media, Tagovailoa has lost “10 to 15 pounds,” putting him around 220 pounds. The Dolphins list him at 227 pounds, with Tagovailoa having weighed 217 pounds at the 2020 Scouting Combine. In addition to losing weight, Tagovailoa also added weight in 2023 and took up jiu-jitsu following multiple concussions the previous season.
Now, Tagovailoa is focusing on becoming “a little more agile” and improving his escapability in the upcoming 2024 season, as reported by Wolfe. McDaniel praised Tagovailoa’s progress, stating, “The results speak for themselves. He’s svelte.”
In 2023, Tagovailoa achieved a milestone by starting every game of the season for the first time. He led the league with 4,624 passing yards, while also recording career-highs in both touchdowns (29) and interceptions (14).
