It looked like Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa could have some competition in rookie Skylar Thompson.
The former Kansas State standout finished the preseason with 36 completions for 450 yards and five touchdowns.
Despite those numbers, ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques shared that the team remains so confident with Tagovailoa that they named him captain.
Mike McDaniel said Dolphins players voted on their captains and Tua Tagovailoa was the resounding winner in terms of highest number of votes
Said it “speaks volumes” to the team’s confidence in the third-year QB, who is a first-time captain this season pic.twitter.com/3SYvV94OV3
— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) September 1, 2022
Louis-Jacques tweeted, “Mike McDaniel said Dolphins players voted on their captains and Tua Tagovailoa was the resounding winner in terms of the highest number of votes. Said it ‘speaks volumes” to the team’s confidence in the third-year QB, who is a first-time captain this season.”
McDaniel added in a recent press conference, “The way we approach it here is that the players vote for who they want to represent them as captain. It was a point system, and the resounding highest point winner was Tua. I think it says everything. I think that’s incredibly important when it’s done with the right reasons and the right intent.”
He added, “The only thing I gave the players was, ‘Who do you want representing you each in every game? Who do you want to see with that ‘C’ and understand what that ‘C’ means on your jersey?’ It speaks volumes about where he’s at with the team.”
A Tall Order For Tua
As a captain, he must exude exemplary behavior on and off the field.
But in a football aspect, he must embrace the role as starting quarterback and be comfortable with it.
This time around, he doesn’t have someone like a Ryan Fitzpatrick to bail him out.
Instead, it’s his responsibility to run a talented offense.
Part of his role as captain is to build a relationship with his teammates, especially those he play with the most.
Building connections with Chase Edmonds, Raheem Mostert, Jaylen Waddle, Cedrick Wilson, Mike Gesicki, and Tyreek Hill could bring them success.
NEXT: Who Is Dolphins Rookie QB Skyler Thompson?