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There are many questions to be answered for the 1-6 Miami Dolphins, but one of them was why Jaylen Waddle, the Dolphins’ top receiver without Tyreek Hill on the field for the rest of the season, didn’t see much action in Sunday’s blowout loss to the Cleveland Browns.
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has an answer, and it’s likely that Dolphins fans don’t want to hear it.
“I think with that, some of it has to do with being able to see guys, with their guys up front as well and our guys,” Tagovailoa told reporters Tuesday.
“I’m not the tallest guy in the back there either. So being able to see and sometimes when that happens you don’t just want to throw it blindly and you have to make progress. So I think that has some reasons why it happened to Waddle.”
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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa signals to his team at the line of scrimmage against the Cleveland Browns in the first quarter at Huntington Bank Field on Oct. 19, 2025. (Scott Galvin/Imagn Images)
It’s no secret that Tagovailoa, listed at 6-foot-1, isn’t the tallest quarterback in the NFL. But it’s another thing to admit that he’s unable to see his receivers during plays.
That may be true, but having vision for your offensive weapons is obviously key for any quarterback. Still, Tagovailoa targeted Waddle, who stands at 5-foot-10, just four times in the 31-6 setback on the road. He only caught one pass for 15 yards.
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Waddle hasn’t had that few targets or catches in a single game since Week 14 against the Houston Texans last season. In that game, Waddle did not have a catch and was only targeted twice, although he suffered a knee injury.
But Tagovailoa struggled all day for the Dolphins, and the Browns’ defense intercepted three passes and limited Tagovailoa to 12 completions for 100 yards in the loss.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after a game against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., on Sept. 14, 2025. (Nathan Ray Seebeck/Imagn Images)
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel had Tagovailoa working with his teammates like a well-oiled machine, but this season has proven difficult to get the same timing every week.
McDaniel noted Tuesday that he and Tagovailoa had an hour-and-a-half meeting the day before, which he called “fantastic.”
“I think there’s zero uncertainty with Tua about my belief in him and my belief in him,” McDaniel told reporters. “We’re both very eager to do better at our jobs, and we’re both very committed and trust each other to respond to what’s needed for the team to do better.”
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa looks to suit up against the Buffalo Bills in the first half at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, NY on September 18, 2025. (Mark Konezny/Imagn Images)
The 27-year-old quarterback leads the NFL in interceptions this season with 10 to 11 touchdown passes. He has thrown for 1,313 yards with a 67.8% completion rate.
