Many fans around the NFL agree that Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa seems like a different player this season.
He has been able to showcase the potential that made him a high draft pick in 2020. In addition, his confidence is seemingly through the roof these days. There are several possible reasons behind the improvement in his psyche, such as a supportive coaching staff. Perhaps being a new father has also played a role in his resurgence.
However, Tagovailoa’s trainer Nick Hicks also credits Kobe Bryant’s “Kobe mentality” as a factor that has helped the young quarterback stay in the zone.
“He never gets too high but he never gets too low,” Hicks said. “He stays right in the middle the entire time. You ride this wave as a pro athlete to the point of, ‘Oh my God. Tua is leading the league in everything. He’s killing it.’ All that’s going to do, if you succumb to that, is sink below that line because you get a little complacent. You get a little content. But if you keep feeding the fire, the fire keeps getting hotter and hotter and hotter. That’s the thought process. There’s always things we can get better. Be humble. Be appreciative. Understand that it’s not just you, and take the attention off of yourself. We’re never going to reach perfect but we’re going to strive to it. That’s his Dad’s thought process: Work hard. Get better.
“Everyone’s happy right now. But this is not where they want to be. Kobe mentality. Job’s not done.”
For fans, it is certainly music to their ears to know that the Dolphins star is not satisfied despite being one of the league’s best quarterbacks in the 2022 season. Tagovailoa currently ranks first in the NFL in several categories, including quarterback rating.
Additionally, the University of Alabama product has won all seven games he has finished this campaign. The only loss he was a part of so far came in Miami’s Week 4 contest versus the Cincinnati Bengals, when Tagovailoa was unable to finish that game because of an injury.
The 24-year-old’s performance in the 2022 campaign hasn’t come as a surprise to those who watched him in the offseason.
Several of his Dolphins teammates showered him with praises before the season started, including Jevon Holland and Jaylen Waddle.
Probably the most outspoken Tagovailoa supporter in the offseason was newcomer Tyreek Hill. The star wide receiver even stated that Tagovailoa was part of the reason he took his talents to Miami.
It will be interesting to see how well the Dolphins can play during the remainder of the regular season. They will certainly need Tagovailoa to continue to play at a high level if they want to catch up to the AFC East-leading Buffalo Bills.
But if his mind is indeed in the right place, then Miami is in good hands. Of course, it’s also key for Tagovailoa to remain healthy and avoid any unfortunate injuries in the upcoming weeks.
