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There are a lot of questions that need answering 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 loss to the Cleveland Browns.
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has an answer, and Dolphins fans probably don’t want to hear it.
“I think part of it has to do with being able to see the guys, with their guys up front as well and our guys,” Tagovailoa told reporters Tuesday. “I’m not the tallest guy in the back either. So being able to see and then sometimes when that happens, you don’t want to just throw it in blindly, and you have to progress. So, I think there’s some merit to the reasons why that happened to Waddle.”
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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) signals to his team at the line of scrimmage against the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter at Huntington Bank Field on Oct. 19, 2025. (Scott Galvin/Image Images)
It’s no secret that Tagovailoa, who stands 6-foot-1, is not the tallest quarterback in the NFL. But it’s another thing to admit you can’t see your receivers during plays.
That may be true, but obviously having your offensive weapons in sight is key for any quarterback. However, Tagovailoa targeted the 5-foot-10 Waddle just four times in 31-6. beating on the road. He caught just one pass for 15 yards.
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Waddle hasn’t had these few targets or receptions in a single game since Week 14 against the Houston Texans last season. In that game, Waddle did not have any catches and was only targeted twice, although he suffered a knee injury.
But Tagovailoa struggled all day for the Dolphins, as the Browns defense forced three interceptions and just 12 completions for 100 yards in the loss.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) watches after the game against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on September 14, 2025. (Nathan Ray Seebeck/Image Images)
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel had previously had Tagovailoa work with his teammates like a well-oiled machine, but this season it has proven difficult to achieve the same rhythm each week.
McDaniel noted Tuesday that he and Tagovailoa had an hour-and-a-half meeting the day before, which he called “excellent.”
“I think there’s no uncertainty with Tua about my conviction and my faith in him,” McDaniel told reporters. “We’re both very eager to do better at our jobs, and we’re both very committed and trusting of each other to respond to whatever it takes for the team to do better.”
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) looks to pass against the Buffalo Bills in the first half at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, on September 18, 2025. (Mark Konezny/Image Images)
The 27-year-old quarterbacks lead the NFL in interceptions this season with 10 on the year compared to 11 touchdown passes. He has also thrown for 1,313 yards with a 67.8% completion rate.
