Ex-NFL GM reveals salacious internal discussions between Brian Flores, Tua Tagovailoa
Now that the Miami Dolphins have parted ways with former head coach Brian Flores after three seasons, the autopsy on Flores’ time with the team has begun.
At the center of the discussion is quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who now has two seasons, albeit seasons plagued with injuries, under his belt.
On Thursday, former Cleveland Browns general manager Michael Lombardi was incredibly candid about the relationship between the former head coach and his quarterback.
“If you’re honest, you are going to sit there and say you can build a team around Tua? Because that’s what (Dolphins owner Stephen) Ross wants to hear,” Lombardi added. “That’s what Brian Flores wouldn’t say.”
Lombardi had previously reported there were conversations between Flores and Tagovailoa, but he did not reveal their contents. On Thursday, he was willing to share.
“The conversation was, if I knew you were going to be this bad, I would’ve picked Mac Jones (in the 2021 Draft),” Lombardi said.
He subsequently clarified that this is the way he interpreted the conversation, and it is not a direct quote from Flores.
The Dolphins took Tagovailoa with the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, while the New England Patriots took Mac Jones No. 15 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
The two quarterbacks have similar numbers this season, although they were working in vastly different situations every Sunday. Tagovailoa missed four games with an injury this year, but in 13 contests, he had 2,653 yards (204.1 yards per game) plus 16 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also ran for three scores. His QBR was 50.6. Through all 17 games of the regular season, Jones has 3,801 yards (223.6 yards per game) with 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. His QBR is 51.3. His season is not over, as the Patriots made the playoffs.
“If Flores felt that way, how is the next guy going to come in and fix it?” Lombardi said. “You say, ‘Well they’re going to run an offense that suits what Tua does.’ They are running an offense that suits what Tua does. It’s the only offense you can run. You gotta run an RPO where he can throw little passes and run after the catch.”
It remains to be determined how the situation shakes out in Miami, but for now, the Dolphins are reportedly focusing on six candidates for their head coaching vacancy, including Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.
As for Flores, he is a top candidate for the other open coaching positions across the NFL following a swath of Black Monday firings.