Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was outspoken about his former head coach Brian Flores during an interview that aired on Monday, labeling him a “terrible person.”
In his appearance on the “Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz,” the 26-year-old quarterback contrasted his experiences with Flores and his current coach, Mike McDaniel. Tagovailoa described the difference in coaching styles by likening it to receiving daily criticism versus positive reinforcement.
He explained, “Imagine waking up every day and being told you’re terrible at your job, that you don’t belong, that someone else should be in your place. Then, compare that to someone who tells you that you’re the best fit for the role, that you’re accurate and capable. How would that make you feel, listening to either one? It’s a huge difference, right?”
Tagovailoa continued, “When you hear negative things repeatedly, regardless of who you are, you start to believe it. Even if you’re someone like the President of the United States, constant negativity from a terrible person can affect your self-belief. That’s what happened to me and several others who’ve been here since my rookie year.”
CNN has reached out to Brian Flores and the Minnesota Vikings, his current team, for comment.
Flores, now in his second season as the Vikings’ defensive coordinator, was the Dolphins’ head coach when Tagovailoa was drafted fifth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. During their two years together in Miami, Tagovailoa played 23 games, accumulating 4,467 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. Despite battling injuries and consistency issues, the Dolphins missed the playoffs both years.
Flores was dismissed in January 2022 after three seasons with Miami and was succeeded by McDaniel. Under McDaniel, Tagovailoa has flourished, throwing for 3,548 yards, 25 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in his first season with the new coach, despite missing four games due to concussions. Tagovailoa earned his first Pro Bowl selection that year.
In the following season, Tagovailoa played all 17 games for the first time, leading the NFL with 4,264 passing yards, completing 69.3% of his passes, with 29 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. The Dolphins made the playoffs in both seasons under McDaniel’s leadership, although they are 0-2 in postseason games.
Tagovailoa’s progress was recognized last month when he signed a four-year contract extension with the Dolphins, reportedly worth $212.4 million.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell defended Flores on Monday, stating, “I don’t have much to say about events from another team or comments from other players on other teams. But I can tell you that the players Flores works with here have great relationships with him. They’ve expressed how much they enjoy playing for him, and I enjoy working with him every day. That’s all I can really comment on, and I’d like to leave it at that.”