Philadelphia Eagles pass rusher Brandon Graham revealed that during the Eagles’ joint practices with the Miami Dolphins, he thought that the teams could meet in the Super Bowl this season.
However, Graham mentioned that Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was unable to hold up healthwise to give the Dolphins a real chance at a Super Bowl run.
Brandon Graham was just talking to someone on IG Live from SB Media Day, and said during the joint practices the #Eagles had with the #Dolphins, the teams were thinking that they’d be meeting each other in the Super Bowl, “but Tua didn’t hold up as much.” pic.twitter.com/p1EPGtCOND
— Eagles Nation (@PHLEaglesNation) February 7, 2023
Tagovailoa suffered his second confirmed concussion of the 2022 season in Week 16 against the Green Bay Packers. He missed the team’s final two regular season games and the Dolphins’ playoff game against the Buffalo Bills.
Miami couldn’t catch a break with quarterback injuries, as backup Teddy Bridgewater injured his throwing hand in Week 17. That thrust rookie seventh-round pick Skylar Thompson into the starting role.
Thompson was able to win the Dolphins’ game in Week 18 against the New York Jets, giving the team a spot in the playoffs. However, he wasn’t able to upset Josh Allen and the Bills in the first round.
It was an unfortunate end to the Dolphins’ 2022 season, but it’s clear other teams, like the Eagles, saw the potential in Miami’s team this season.
The Dolphins made some major moves in the offseason, acquiring star receiver Tyreek Hill and offensive tackle Terron Armstead. Those moves both helped Tagovailoa immensely, and he went on to have his best season in his young career.
The Dolphins quarterback threw for 3,548 yards, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 13 games during the regular season. He also led the NFL in yards gained per pass attempt and yards gained per pass completion, showing that he can push the ball downfield in the NFL.
Miami’s main concern with Tagovailoa will be making sure he avoids any more head injuries after suffering confirmed concussions in Week 4 and Week 16.
The Eagles may have thought that the Dolphins were Super Bowl worthy, but they instead find themselves matched up with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 57.
Philly rolled through the NFC in the playoffs, blowing out both the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers.
Graham, who was a member of the Eagles team that upset the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl a few seasons ago, certainly knows what it takes to get to the big game.
Dolphins fans can only hope that Graham and the Eagles’ prediction was a season too early and that Miami will find itself among the best teams in the NFL in the 2023 campaign.
