Miami Dolphins legend Dan Marino knows better than anyone what it’s like to lead a successful team. He says he still has confidence in this year’s team, Coach Mike McDaniel and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa despite the poor start and struggles.
“I think they just need to continue to grow as a team,” Marino said in a one-on-one interview. “I have nothing but confidence in them. The team got off to a slow start. Everybody would tell you that, anybody that’s observing that. Through those times, we came back and now have a chance to actually – if we win out pretty much – and play some really good football, a chance to get in the playoffs.”
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The Dolphins got off to a really slow start going 0-3 and 1-6 to begin the 2025 season. However, they’ve since bounced back to win four of their past five games with team owner Stephen Ross sticking with McDaniel while firing general manager Chris Grier.
The 5-7 Dolphins play at the 3-9 New York Jets on Dec. 7. Even with a win, making the postseason remains an extreme long shot with the Steelers on the road and the Bengals at home the following two weeks.
Marino, the Hall of Fame quarterback, led the Dolphins for 17 years when they were one of the most consistent franchises in the NFL. During his first 13 seasons – all with Coach Don Shula – the Dolphins had one losing season and went to the playoffs seven times. Marino and the Dolphins went to the playoffs 10 times in those 17 seasons.
That isn’t the case today. The Dolphins are facing the potential of missing the playoffs for the second consecutive season after a disappointing 8-9 campaign last year. They have not won a playoff game since 2000.
There is some hope, even if it is faint, that the Dolphins could advance to the playoffs for the third time in the past four seasons in the McDaniel/Tagovailoa era.
“I do stuff for the team, so I’m gonna tell you I love those guys,” says Marino of McDaniel and Tagovailoa. “I’ve worked with them for a few years now. I think Tua has been very consistent, he has been playing at a high level. And Mike is the same way, so we’ll see where it all goes and hopefully it goes in a positive direction like it has been for the past three weeks. If they get into the playoffs, I’ll be extremely excited for all of us, for Miami Dolphins fans and them.”
Tagovailoa has been heavily criticized this season for his inconsistent play and costly interceptions late in games. He has 17 touchdowns against a league-leading 14 interceptions, which is also a career-high mark. However, he has cut down on the turnovers as of late, with just one interception in the past two games. Furthermore, his 67.2% completion rate ranks a respectable 11th in the NFL.
If the Dolphins are going to have any chance of clinching a playoff spot, they’ll need Tagovailoa to continue playing at a solid level and keeping the turnovers to a minimum. Marino, who is a special advisor for the team, says he has a “great relationship” with Tagovailoa and loves his accuracy.
“We get along great and have spent time together, my relationship is good with him,” Marino said. “What makes him a high-quality quarterback in the league is his accuracy, his ability to get the ball out quick. He’s been great at that since he’s gotten in the league. That comes with the knowledge of where to throw the football.”
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Dan Marino still has confidence in Miami Dolphins, Tua Tagovailoa
Reporting by D.J. Siddiqi, Special to The Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
