Tua Tagovailoa’s release from the Miami Dolphins left the franchise carrying a historic dead-money bill this offseason. It didn’t cost him the support of the locker room he left behind.
Dolphins offensive tackle Patrick Paul, who blocked for Tagovailoa the past two seasons, believes his former quarterback is walking into the right situation with the Atlanta Falcons — and predicts he’ll beat out Michael Penix Jr. for the starting job.
“Him going into Atlanta now, he’s got a new situation, a new environment, and I know he’s going to go in there,” Paul said on The Set with Terron Armstead. “He’s definitely going to win that spot.”
Tagovailoa vs. Penix: Where the Competition Stands
Tagovailoa is set to compete for Atlanta’s starting job against Penix, who’s still working back from a season-ending knee injury. On paper, that gives Tagovailoa the inside track. But the Falcons have made clear the battle won’t officially open until Penix is fully cleared — a Falcons quarterbacks coach said there’s no real competition until then.
New head coach Kevin Stefanski adds another variable. Neither quarterback has worked under him before, meaning both are learning a new scheme and a new voice in the building at the same time.
Paul isn’t dodging how last season ended in Miami. He’s just not letting it define his read on the player.
“He’s a great player,” Paul said. “So, definitely rooting for him.”
A Rough Final Year in Miami
Tagovailoa’s run with the Dolphins started with real promise. He led the NFL in passing in 2023 and made his first Pro Bowl that year, forming what looked like a lasting partnership with head coach Mike McDaniel. The following two seasons told a different story. Injuries piled up, his play dipped, and the fit with McDaniel soured.
In 2025, Tagovailoa threw a career-worst 15 interceptions in just 14 games, a stretch that ended with McDaniel benching him down the stretch. McDaniel has since left Miami himself, now serving as offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Dolphins released Tagovailoa this offseason, leaving new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan to absorb $99.2 million in dead cap space — the largest single-player dead-money hit in NFL history.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| 2025 Interceptions | 15 (career worst) |
| 2025 Games Played | 14 |
| Dead Cap Hit | $99.2 million |
| Draft Position | No. 5 overall, 2020 |
None of that has changed how Paul sees his former quarterback. The two spent two seasons in the same building, and Paul says that history carries weight.
“I know he’s going to bounce back from what was last year, and he’s going to do his thing over there,” Paul said. “So, I’m waiting to see it. Waiting to see his bounce back. For sure. It’s all it is. That’s all it is. It’s just a bounce back.”
Paul Also Backing New Dolphins QB Malik Willis
Paul’s confidence isn’t limited to Tagovailoa. He’s also talking up Miami’s new starter, Malik Willis, who struggled to find footing with the Tennessee Titans before rebuilding his stock with the Green Bay Packers. Willis emerged as one of this year’s top available free agents and signed with Miami this offseason.
“Malik, no doubt that he’s a baller,” Paul said, “and I think it’s one of the best kept secrets in the NFL right now.”
Paul went further, predicting Willis will be a “big surprise to everybody” once the season starts. Few outside analysts expect much from Miami’s retooled roster this fall, but Paul isn’t buying the outside skepticism.
“Just expect a team that’s going to go out there and shock people,” Paul said.
This is a developing storyline as both the Dolphins and Falcons head into training camp. Any material updates on the Atlanta quarterback competition or Penix’s recovery timeline will be reflected as they’re confirmed.
