Head coach Mike McDaniel is far from the strongest man in the Miami Dolphins’ locker room, however his recent show of strength reportedly caught star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa off guard.
Upon hearing the news that Tagovailoa agreed to terms on a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension on Friday, the approximately 5-foot-9, 180-pound McDaniel said he hugged and lifted the 6-1, 227-pound quarterback off the ground.
“It was a cool moment to say the least,” McDaniel said Sunday morning, shortly after the team officially announced Tagovailoa’s contract extension. “I’m of unassuming stature but when I get enough adrenaline and I’m pretty excited, I can surprise some people with my leverage and my strength. And my hug surprised him because he spilled his coffee.
“… That moment wasn’t planned but it’s definitely something you remember. It’s hard not to have a lot of time pass through your mind really fast. It was something cool to share.”
Tagovailoa’s contract — which includes $167.1 million guaranteed and a $42 million signing bonus — is the largest in Dolphins’ history.
With additional money comes increased expectations. McDaniel, however, said he believes Tagovailoa will be up for the challenge.
“It’s absolutely the nature of what you should expect,” McDaniel said. “Tua knows that. His teammates can know that and they already have pressure and expectations for themselves. As long as you acknowledge that, and Tua has shown me throughout the entire offseason that he knows what time it is. Hopefully, he and all of his teammates can determine what the narrative is built upon by the way they play.”
Tagovailoa, 26, led the NFL with 4,264 passing yards in 2023. He started all 17 games (11-6 record), completing 69.3 percent of his passes with 29 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
A first-round pick (fifth overall) by Miami in 2020, Tagovailoa has thrown for 12,639 yards with 81 TDs and 37 picks in 53 career games (51 starts).
Tagovailoa made his NFL playoff debut last season, completing 20 of 39 passes for 199 yards with one touchdown and one interception in a 26-7 wild-card loss at Kansas City.
The Dolphins open the season at home on Sept. 8 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.