Nick Saban offers his take on playing future of Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa

Chris Roling

Nick Saban offers his take on playing future of Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa image

One current NFL coach has already suggested that Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa should retire in the wake of his latest concussion. 

Nick Saban isn’t quite there yet, though. 

The former Alabama coach said as much during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” after Tagovailoa suffered his third diagnosed concussion over the last two years on Thursday night. 

"I will talk to him today, I haven't been able to get ahold of him yet," Saban said. "Tua's such a great competitor, but I think this has to be a medical decision. ... I think Tua and his family should listen to all the medical evidence ... and they shouldn't be influenced by anybody else."

That last bit is the key point—no outside influence should really come into play on the matter. 

For now, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel wants the focus to be on Tagovailoa’s health, not his long-term playing future as the team moves to Skylar Thompson as the new starter. After the loss, he said Tagovailoa has been “in good spirits” for the time being. 

That hasn’t and won’t stop outside debate about Tagovailoa’s playing future and the Dolphins adding Ryan Tannehill, among other ideas. But Saban’s take should stick out as the top takeaway for the time being.

 

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Chris Roling

Chris Roling Photo

Chris Roling has covered the NFL since 2010 with stints at Bleacher Report, USA TODAY Sports Media Group and others. Raised a Bengals fan in the '90s, the Andy Dalton era was smooth sailing by comparison. He graduated from the E. W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University and remains in Athens.