Cam Newton Claps Back at Tua Tagovailoa After Dolphins QB Called Out ESPN Host

The scrutiny surrounding Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s 0-3 start in the 2025 NFL season just intensified. Former NFL MVP Cam Newton held a critical mirror up to Tagovailoa’s recent play, suggesting the issues in Miami run deeper than the box score. Newton’s comments were a pointed response after the Dolphins’ signal-caller took a public swipe at the former MVP’s media role.

“Part of me wants to say ‘anybody can go 0-3,'” Newton said on First Take. “Do I feel a certain type of way? Absolutely not. I said what I said, and I’ll stand on what I said. This Tua Tagovailoa that we have seen within the last 12 months is not something and someone that is indicative of what we’ve seen before. When I see the situation that is taking place in Miami, it’s more Love Island drama than football.”

The 11-season veteran’s response was fueled by Tagovailoa’s earlier retort to critics, including Newton, who have questioned his performance.

“Cam is doing his thing for sure,” said Tua Tagovailoa. “But I think it’s easier to be able to hold a clicker and talk about it that way or talk about what someone else is doing wrong when you’re not going out and having to do the same as them.”

The Dolphins QB implied that Newton, now a commentator, lacked the current perspective of a player. However, Tagovailoa’s numbers lend weight to the former Heisman Trophy winner’s comments.

In 2022, Tua was electric. He scored 25 touchdowns with only 8 interceptions, while leading the NFL in passer rating (105.5). That year, Miami’s offense was also among top-3 in yards per game. A year later, Tua started all 17 games and passed for 29 touchdowns with 14 interceptions. On both occasions, the Dolphins exited in the Wildcard round.

Sep 12, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) drops back with the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

This season has seen Tagovailoa’s QBR and his yards per attempt decrease. His passer rating on throws between 10 and 19 yards has dropped from 111.7 in 2022 to a shocking 27.7 this season. In three games (vs the Indianapolis Colts, vs the New England Patriots, vs the Buffalo Bills), he has gone 7/20 for 93 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. The Dolphins QB has thrown four interceptions this season, just one shy of the total interceptions he threw as a rookie.

Newton listed out Tagovailoa’s offensive weapons and resources, naming wide receiver duo Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill, as well as Head Coach Mike McDaniel. He then called for the 27-year-old to show that he is capable of it.

Tyreek Hill has not hidden his frustrations on the sidelines, and Newton has provided a balanced take. However, Tagovailoa’s choice to respond to facts on the mic rather than through his performance on the field drew a response from Stephen A.Smith.

Stephen A. Smith lambasts Tua Tagovailoa

The host lauded Cam Newton for his class, highlighted his accomplishments on the gridiron, and criticized Tua.

Tua’s comments may have made the situation even more murky, with him now being under pressure to turn things around against the New York Jets on Monday Night Football. The stakes could be even higher as he will have attracted the media’s attention and will line up under center, with even Dan Orlovsky highlighting a few shortcomings.

Sep 12, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) is checked on by teammates after an apparent injury against the Buffalo Bills during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

“It looks like he’s lost his superpower. Tua’s superpower has always been cut the ball loose before you should cut the ball loose,” said Orlovsky on NFL on ESPN. “I’ve watched Tua in the last two weeks, and it feels like he’s waiting for guys to get open rather than throwing the ball before they are open, moving guys to open those windows and cut the ball loose.”

Dolphins fans may remember one particular moment more than others. This came in the final moments of GW2. At 4th and 12 with 53 seconds left, Tagovailoa was at the New England Patriots‘ 28-yard line. He caught the football and seemed to take a split second to find a target, but that was all Milton Williams needed to sack him and seal the game.

This isn’t about Cam Newton or any other analyst anymore. It’s about pride in the division with the Dolphins staring at possibly going 0-3 in the AFC East (and 0-4 overall) after just 4 games. It’s all on Tua Tagovailoa to back his words with a strong game at Hard Rock Stadium Monday and extend his unbeaten streak (6-0) against the Jets.

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